Same thing was happening to one of my drives at the end of the 2007 season. When I got it out for the 2008 season, it wouldn't shift at all. It was the linkage and detent inside the back cover of the drive.

OK, this area is filled with gear lube, but yet the parts are crusty/dry..... is it that you access this part from the gear lube area but the part isn't lubed by the gear lube?

Appreciate your insight!

Correct and correct

In the attatched link the cover is #1, the upper side of this holds the lube for the gears. Bottom side is high and dry
Item #3 is the problem that I have had in the past and is what i was able to clean up and reuse.
Part was not expensive, just at the time my local shop had to order it and i was not waiting the 10 days for it

http://www.marinepartsexpress.com/merc_sch_fs.html

I just took mine off it has always been hard shifting, the little ball and spring is really stiff it is soaking in cleaner right now should I take the ball out of the spring housing or clean it up as is?

If I remeber correctly it does not come out.
Thought the end was 'domed' over it to house the ball and spring

The cost was not very much, less then $20 I think

I have it cleaned and put back together. It was really stiff when I first got to it the grease was hard and the ball and spring were stiff I would say almost stuck. It seems to work good now. At least I am able to move my shifter on the drive now with a pair of pliers I wasn't before.

Mn,
nice to hear that was the problem, and you fixed it back then. The springs are pretty strong, but if the assembly is dry, it will be difficult to shift..

Dick

I can't wait to try it out but I have to wait a few months.

Power of OSO!!!
Helping one another out with things!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Merry Christmas to you Mn.. And everyone on OSO!