So its not feeling right going into reverse. I have the fancy cable adjustment tool thang. Looks simple enough to use. But my question is does the motor have to be running to put into gear to make the adjustments ?

Yes the engine needs to be running when you shift gears.

Thanks

I personally don't like the tool and prefer adjusting it by hand with the cable removed from the bracket. All you do is measure and mark halfway between forward and reverse and set it there and adjust the barrel nuts accordingly. I have to do it every year or so.

Thanks for the tip. Cable measured in spec. It was slow to kick into reverse went into but took 1-2 count before really kicked in. I went a little long on gear lube change. Let it drain good overnight. Poured some new gear lube in reservoir to kinda flush old stuff out. Refilled and seems to be doing better. Going to run for 30 hours and change again.

One of the biggest issues with Bravo 3s shifting is the arm and ball detent in the drive. They both get sticky and rust over time. I need to replace mine. I think that's the real reason the cables fail.