Before you go off and replace the shifter, I'd check a couple of things. Are shift cables moving freely? A kink in a cable, or a worn cable can make the shifter bind. Likewise, check the linkages at both ends of the cables for nice clean, firm attachments. All kinds of funny binding can happen when these guys get out of adjustment. It's also worth popping your head into the back end of the engine and make sure that the transmission itself isn't the culprit. You can work the shift lever by hand, and it should move fairly easily. While you're at it, if you haven't checked fluid levels back there, of course, you should.
Lastly, I'd spend some energy just soaking all the bits of the shifter in WD-40, followed by a proper lubricant (We all know WD-40 isn't a lubricant, don't we :-) It took several passes to get our shifter (hull 3) fully sorted out, but it's been fine since then.
- David Levine
[This message has been edited by dwl (edited 06-05-2001).]
