Grumble in reverse Shifter or what else

"Mercruiser 233 shift or outdr

"Mercruiser 233 shift or outdrive noise. Ratcheting into reverse and "grumbles" when in reverse

Hey Fellas,

I have a mercruiser 233 i/o and it shifts hard (that is it kind of thunks) into forward, and ratchets or grumbles hard, and you have to get the RPMs a little higher before it finally engages into reverse. When in reverse, it seems to grumble, and isnt smoothe. It isnt the engine, but I was hoping you could give me some other ideas of what it could be, and how much the different repairs and/or parts might cost.

I am thinking it is possibly just the shift cable needing adjustment, but if it is something worse, what might it be?

Thanks!"

"I think you have two issues.

"I think you have two issues.

Noise may indicate bad bearings or gears, or U joints, or gimbal bearing.
I would check the drive oil drain first for water and/or metal particles.
If OK, I would pull the drive and check the U joints and gimbal bearing.

The stiff shifting likely means you need a new lower shift cable.

Rod"