2008 DF200A hard to shift

[frogbite]

I have a 2008 DF200A and thought I needed new control cables. I pulled off the shift cable to see if it was the throttle or shift cable and when I did, it the cable moved very easily. I then tried to shift the motor by hand and it was very hard to move the shifter.

I sprayed the the shifting linkage down with PB blaster to see if it was something there, but that did not help. I am trying to get around dropping the bottom end as there is not a lot of hours on the water pump and this is most likely due to the boat sitting for 8 months out of the water but by the east coast of Florida. About a mile from the beach.

Any pointers besides dropping the bottom end and checking the shift rod and other components?

Thanks

[billnorman1]

Wow. Exposed to salt water? Even with the motor out it's a hard life. Have you been keeping up with your anode changes? The lower unit is rather easy to remove and replace. I may be doing it wrong but I get it done at my age (77) but it gets harder every year. The trim and tilt helps a lot. Use high performance gear lube.
You'll figure it out, and when you do let us know what the issue is.