The reason I asked what brand shifter is merc had a problem with the commander 3000 shifter and it would do exactly what you are stating

yes try disconnecting the cables in the engine compartment, and try shifting the shifter (after the cable to the out drive is disconnected in the engine compartment)

if that feels fine then it is either the other cable or the shift mechanism in the out drive

do not

Guys it was mentioned above a bravo X drive is different. I have a brand new XR drive that shifts hard and I was going to check it when I change the fluid. Is the XR different from a regular Bravo 1?

Grease the ball detent , sliding sleeve, I dont know this stuff. Im not sure if I will try it myself or not. Is this difficult to do? I am just a backyard mechanic. What cover do I take off, is it the one on the top of the outdrive? Where do I drain the fluid?

anyone,anyone?

The back drive cover with 3 bolts in it comes off, must drain drive lube first, there is a cavity in that area that is not lubed by the drive unit, and that is where the shift lever and ball detent are. Mine had gotten water in it, was so rusted and corroded that the shaft arm was almost rusted in two, also could not shift any more. new ball, shift lever, gaskets, and a ton of lube, shifts like new! Good luck

Oh Yeah, to dain the lower unit you have to remove the prop, there is a screw under output shaft that is the drain plug.

No one have the exploded view of a upper drive unit ????...cause i would like to understand all the mechanism ....hope i am clear ...and thank`s to take time to respond me

I did not drain my drive to lube the shiffter guts, just pulled the back cover. It is a seperate cavity with very little grease on the parts inside, they can get water in as mentioned above so do a good job of sealing the cover when you put it back together. The late model Bravo's like my X do have to be drained, Merc finally got smart and copied the way Volvo intended for the gut to get constant lube. If you are going to copy a drive that many have not been torn down in 20-30 years do it right!

Edit: Honest a kid could do the job super simple!

ask and you will recieve

Thank's a lot Good T .....it's just what i looking for ....you ROCK....cause like you know my engish is not very good .....But with a Drawing ... i will understand for shure....

My drive is a Bravo 1 X .....can i assume it's like the drawing ??
Thank's again
Best Regard's