Outboard will not go into reverse?

Got a question for you My outboard motor will not go into reverse. I thought at first it was due to the cold, but now I am thinking something is not right. It is an 87 Evinrude 70 hp console. When I try to put it into reverse it makes a loud clicking sound inside the control assembly. Is there some sort of gear inside that could be worn? Or could it be the cable is worn? Any ideas would be appreciated. I would like to try and fix it myself before paying the exhorbent fees to a marine shop.

That happened to me but I couldn’t go forward. They had to change the gear handle and put a new one on.

If it makes a loud clicking sound, I would bet your cable stretched or is out of adjustment. I hope ya get it fixed soon, and were the fish biting?

It is a very loud clicking sound The bite was slow and my buddy put the hurt on me by outfishing me

I assume this noise is coming from under the motor cowl?

Nope, right in the control handle.

Mike, find someone with the same kind of remotes as yours. Open both control boxes by taking the side cover off. These are standard controls found on most omc motors. Having both opened, you should be able to dry shift them and see what the difference is between yours and the other one. That should also show the problem.
Right now, I’m guessing like Supserdave said and think it’s a shift cable out of adjustment. Simple, but time consuming fix. The clicking sound that you hear/feel in the remotes can actually be the cable slipped and won’t make the reach to fully engage reverse, and is just riding close enough to it there is a slight clicking of gears that you are feeling all the way to the remotes via the cable.
Just a guess

That is the same tip that Lntony2 gave me about the linkage/cable possibly being out of whack. I am going to try and fix it tomorrow since it is going to be somewhat warm I think I will start by finding the nut that is used to tighten the cable, then take it to the river to get it adjusted

Pay attention to what you do and how much adjustment you make because your throttle is tied in there too. I know you can do it.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I think Slop had the same problem last year? If he did, I’m not quite sure what he did to fix it?

a nut fell off the gear linkage, so it wouldn’t go in reverse at all….

Look it over well and look over the bottom of the engine area..make sure nothing is sitting down there

I have had the same problems with our 40 hp. evinrude. Except ours will rev up until you push the lever back far enough then kick into gear really hard. I think it is just a matter of tightening or loosening the “linkage” or cable adjustment, but I’m not sure. Good luck with fixing it and I hope maybe it will help me solve my problem too.

Well after trying to adjust the linkage the problem was still there. I took it into the repair shop to get an estimate and the verdict was not good. My reverse gear and clutch is wore out The estimated cost was $700. The repair shop charged me $60 for an estimate but gave me my lower unit back in a box when I went to pick it up So now, I cannot use the boat at all. At least before I still had forward. One tip the mechanic told me was to never baby the motor when putting it in gear. When you hear that clicking sound, you are basically grinding and rounding off your gears. Changing gears should be quick. Now I know

You might want to check with Twin City Outboard in Shakopee they may have a used one?