2004 hpdi 225 vmax hard to shift

[Just One More]

Everything was working fine during the day until I was almost at the dock to drop off my son at the ramp to get the truck. When I tried to shift into reverse it was very stiff…I had no choice but to force it into reverse. Back at the house I disconnected cables at motor and still stiff. Tried to disassemble 704 and some screws seized (had to drill out). So, I purchased new 704 and installed it today. Still stiff, disconnected at motor again, works fine (cables OK). I then realized that if I turned prop slightly when attempting to shift it then it would go right into gear, for both forward and reverse.

Any insight of what is wrong will be appreciated.

I am wondering now if there was anything wrong with the original 704 before I worked on it. Well maybe the forcing it into reverse…

[boats.net]

If it shifts and throttle ok with cables disconnected then may be ok. The cables are the most common problem with hard shifting.

[Just One More]

I can move the cables freely disconnected from binnacle and motor.