Stiff forward/reverse

[Almighte1]

2000 Islandia... 240EFI... I feel like my forward/reverse lever is stiff... Bucket has full range of motion, however if i need to go from forward to neutral or forward to reverse, i gotta sit down, brace my feet against the console and really put some ass behind it to get the lever to move. I dont notice any corrosion or anything on or around the cable and bucket. Its actually pretty clean. The rubber boot on the cable is split and separated, so I guess that could be an issue, but the boot is split on the steering cable as well and i have no issues there, steering is smooth. I'm not sure this is normal. Maybe it is, but I would like that thing to move as freely and as smoothly as the throttle lever. Anyone got any suggestions or thoughts? Dr.? September?

 

[Coastiejoe]

Your cable is seizing on you. To confirm it is not within the shifter, disconnect the cable from the shifter and see if the shifter moves easily. If so, cable needs replaced.

 

[Dr Honda]

Yep... what he said.

Disconnect the cable at both ends... and check the bucket, and lever. If they are free... it's the cable. (that's the normal problem)