I need some input ..Please

I have a 90 hp johnson outboard motor built in 1999. today out on the water It wouldn't go into foward gear.It goes into reverse fine.when I try to put it in foward,you can hear it grinding,trying to go into gear.I pulled the top off the motor and was able to manually put it in gear. Can anyone help me to fix this issue..Is there some kind of cable adjustment??? Thanks a bunch..

Re: I need some input ..Please

(Centering Shift Cable)
(J. Reeves)

When all is as it should be, the proper method to adjust the shift cable is to disconnect the cable from the engine. Move the shift linkage on the engine to find the center of the play in neutral, and when found, leave it centered.

Now, grab the end of the shift cable sleeve, push and pull it to find the center of the play there, and center that play.

Adjust the trunion on the threaded portion of the shift cable so that the centered play of the cable lines up with the centered play of the engine's shift linkage. Install and lock the shift cable with the retaining clamp in that position. That's it.

http://stores.ebay.com/Evinrude-Johnson-Outboard-Parts-etc?refid=store

Was the engine shifting properly previously and this problem just popped up, or is this the first time you've used the boat? Have you changed anything pertaining to controls?

Re: I need some input ..Please

I bought the boat a couple of weeks ago.took it out last week for about an hour to run it.It ran great. I placed a rag at the bottom of the engine to collect any fuel when I cleaned the fuel filter the other day. Maybe I bumped something. I took it out sunday backed it away from the boat dock, went to put it in foward and it wouldn't go. You can feel that it wants to shift. I did it manually with little effort. I'll try to adjust the cable and see. thanks for the advice.any other input is greatly appreciated.

Re: I need some input ..Please

also the shift should be a quick deliberate shift, not the old lets ease it into gear, while we listen to them mesh. the gear are very square edge, and require the quit shift, or you wear the edges off and it won't stay in gear.