Need help with adjusting forward/reverse cables

I was needing some help on adjusting my forward and reverse cables on my 89 60hp johnson. When putting the motor into forward it goes in really easy and fast. When i put it back into neutral the prop keeps spinning in forward. I adjusted the reverse cable and the grinding noise is pretty close to gone but still will not go all the way in reverse. When the boat is out of the water the motor will go into reverse just fine but not in the water. Could this be bad cables? Or should i order new cables and start from scratch?

Re: Need help with adjusting forward/reverse cables

Have you had the lower unit off recently, then encountered this problem? If so, I suspect that you turned the shift rod out of adjustment.

(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.