Stiff shifter. No... not what you're thinking

[Old Man In The Sea Ray]

270 Sundeck 496 Mag Bravo 3
I've never been thrilled with the effort required to shift from neutral to forward or reverse. Not terrible, but I have to "pop" it in gear. I lubed the remote, replaced the remote cable, and replaced the lower cable thru the transom. Today I removed the top cover on the outdrive to expose the shift mechanism. Everything looked looked good. The upper and lower cams on the shift[plate are good... no problem for them to move the cone clutch.
The ball detent was clean. The spring in the "cartridge" was fine. BUT, there's another compression spring behind the ball cartridge. I think that's too much load on the detent.
Has anyone experimented with lessening that compression spring either with heat or removing a coil or two?

 

[Thornton69]

No to your question, but are you trying to shift it with the engine shut down? Bravo's require the engine running when shifting.

 

[Nater Potater]

After addressing @Thornton69's question first, I would highly recommend not trying to adjust the springs by heating and/or clipping. Save them for when you find you might have to go back to stock, and order some lighter springs from somewhere like McMaster-Carr for experimenting.

 

[Old Man In The Sea Ray]

No to your question, but are you trying to shift it with the engine shut down? Bravo's require the engine running when shifting.

No. Understood.

 

[GypsmJim]

My old classic runabout has an antique shifter that is loosey goosey. I hate shifting because I never know what to expect.

My family boat has a more modern Mercury shifter that is hard, but deliberate. I have no issues at all (even with my arthritis), but my wife always complains (and messes up) when she shifts.

Seems to me that experience and practice solves a lot of problems.