1976 35 hp johnson shifting

[Johnson110]

I just replaced the water pump on this engine. when i had the lower unit on the bench i shifted the gears they all worked fine ok so i put the lower unit back on to ard and neutral are very close with the shifter you have to play with the shifter when in forward to get it to go in neutral, it worked fine before i replaced water pump, i did pull the driveshaft out when putting the bottom plate on for pump. why does it not want to go thru the gears properly, I have done water pumps on outboards many moons ago never had this problem also the gear oil is perfect.engine verified that the gear was in forward get it all back together and forward gear and neutral are very close you have to jiggle the shifter arm to get in into neutral, lower gear oil in very good , please help!

 

[Johnson110]

I am thinking that there is a bushing that is worn out on the manuel shift handle itself ?

 

[Johnson110]

Ok so it bugging the heel out of me went and too the lower unit off pulling up and down on shift rod and it goes easy than hard, sprayed the shift rod with BB BLASTER, let see what happen!.