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I have a 50 hp Merc on my 17 foot Montauk. The throttle linkage (Quicksilver) is very stiff and hard to move. It takes small hard "bumps" to make it move small distances. Where should I start checking it and what is the most likely cause of this throttle stiffness? Any ideas will be appreciated. Thanks.

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Take the linkage off the motor end.
Then see if the throttle control moves the cable easily.
If it does, then try to move the throttle lever on the motor and see if it moves easily.
One or the other needs attention.....

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Make sure your throttle cable dose not make any hard bends between your Shifter and motor.

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Chances are your cables need replacement. Sometimes even when they are unloaded, they work easy, but under load work hard.

When you have them both disconnected, make sure the control box and engine parts move freely, as Joe suggests. if so, you need new cables.

Even before you disconnect them, with Mercs you have to be sure there is not too much compression on the throttle cable at the engine. Using a piece of paper, put it under the throttle stop at the engine. Shift back to neutral. You should be able to just pull the paper out with only light resistance. If it tears, you have too much compression on the linkage. Re-adjust the barrel and try again until it's correct.

If that doesn't solve it, buy new Teleflex "Xtreme" cables, They are super smooth and will make a huge difference. I think they are even better than Mercury's silver "Platinum" cables, and look better, because they are black.

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Thank you all for those suggestions. I will try them.

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sounds like the connections at the motor...

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Well, it took awhile, but after all of your good suggestions, I replaced the entire throttle cable and it works fine now. I learned alot about my boat in doing so. Thanks. Vince