Outboard Help needed

[sevseasail]

I have a 2004 4HP Merury mounted on the transom. I cannot figure out how to lock the motor in the midships position. I do not need to use it as a rudder, for that I have the boat rudder. I should be able to do that right? Or is there and additional piece of hardware needed??







Thanks!!

[Gladrags1]

I believe I have the same engine. I know on mine that there is a knob that turns to tighten and makes it that the motor won't swivel in that bracket. I don't see this knob on yours but I see where it seems to belong. If you look on the shaft, right behind the clamp where it attaches to the boat, there is a "bump out" where I think you should find threads for a bolt with a knob for the head. Simply tightening that know puts pressure on the shaft, keeping the motor from turning. I must say that since I don't utilize it often, I might be fuzzy on the details but I know that there is a simple mechanism for doing what you seek to do. Look at the manual?

[sevseasail]

Thank you !!!

I'll look for those threads and will find something to put in there, the engine did not come with a manual; it came with the boat but it appears it was not used on the boat. I did a search for the manual online but too much clutter came up and I had no time to go over every single link.

I'll report back....
Thank you!!!

[Perithead]

I have the 2011 model and I can't find out how to lock mine! Maybe you will find a solution.....

[Stu Jackson]

You may be able to find info on this website (I found it looking for my Evinrude engine, but they may have your Merc, too).

Good luck.

Evinrude Parts & Johnson Outboard Parts at MarineEngine.com

[Ritchard]

If the motor doesn't have that threaded hole, you could drill a hole and tap it. Put a bolt in as a set screw and Bob, as the say, is your Uncle.

[jcboyce]

On the pivit there should be a screw head sticking out. I don't know that model, at least not under mecurys lable. as you tighten it it will increase the resistance to turning. tighten it slowly checking as you go, to avoid overtightening the wrong fastener.
the down side to locking it up compleatly is if you have to back out of a slip turning the engine can compensat the prop wash.
JC Boyce

[sevseasail]

So, the way it works is the following: on that place on the back of the shaft there should be a thumb knob which screws onto a screw stud which in term tightens a clamp around the shaft that locks its movement. There are no threads on the walls of the hole and in my case the crew was ripped for over tightening (I guess). I learned all of this by going to a Mariner distributor and talking to the parts guy.
So, I'll have to order a few parts (clamp with the screw, spring, washer and nut) and then open the shaft to install.

For now I'll tie with some rope to keep it somewhat near midships.

[sevseasail]

Originally Posted by Ritchard

If the motor doesn't have that threaded hole, you could drill a hole and tap it. Put a bolt in as a set screw and Bob, as the say, is your Uncle.

That might actually work, however the reminder of the mechanism inside the shaft will still have to be removed in order for the new screw to reach the shaft and put pressure on it.

[INMA]

The screw pushed on a shoe that increases friction in the pivot.

When you get the thumb screw undo the four bolts holding the back shell of the bracket and grease the inside bits manually then reassemble with the thumb screw (and spring to stop it vibrating out) and it should work fine.

If the thread is stripped somebody overtightened the thumb screw and damaged the thread.