2003 mercury 225 efi 2 stroke hard shifting.

[Mlpricefamily]

Serial 0t794973

I have replaced cables and controls.

This problem only happens intermittently after an extended time at cruise or higher trolling rpms.

After cruising when attempting to throttle back and go into neutral it will sometimes be very hard. A few times it wouldn't shift period to the point that I broke a cable attachment point in control and had to replace it. Wont even go into neutral after shutting engine off. I replaced cable and so far I haven't had a failure to shift again. Nevertheless, I still intermittently after higher rpm have hard shifting into neutral from forward then hard from neutral to reverse. Once I move controls into reverse everything loosens up again and I can go through all gears easily. Until I cruise again , then it will act up. It idles back fine, it just gets really difficult to shift. In gear it idles 650-690. I've changed lower unit oil has mercury premium in it. Had tiny amount of metal powder on magnet. Throttle cable is adjusted for minimum pressure on backstop.

Anyone have any ideas?

[SilverFox579]

Premium lower unit lube is incorrect for that engine, Mercury states it is for engines under 75hp. You should be using Mercury/Quicksilver Hi Performance.

Hot foot or hand control? If hand control, is the friction setting too tight?

[Mlpricefamily]

I'm sorry that's what I'm using. High performance. I was incorrect in o.p. I got the two names switched around.

[Mlpricefamily]

Hand control. Friction is good because when it unwinds or corrects itself the movement is then smooth as butter through all gears. Friction setting would be a constant

[Mlpricefamily]

Wanted to follow up. I discovered cause of hard shifting. Bent upper shift shaft and broken upper motor mounts. Will report back after fixed.