My '96 130 Rude wouldn't go in reverse, and even in forward it never really moved the shift lever; it really seemed to be just holding pressure on it. Pulled the lower unit expecting a high-dollar rebuild, and found out the two O-rings in the shift rod cover had fused to the shift rod. Once I got that loose and screwed the rod back in, I can pull the rod up and down and it shifts normally, with nice distinct "thunks" as it goes into forward and reverse. $2 worth of O-rings; can't get much better than that 
I'm replacing the water pump and drive shaft seal while I've got it apart. One question, the drive shaft wobbles at the top quite a bit. I assume this is because it's designed to allow for some misalignment and the engine spline holds it in place at the top. Anything to worry about there? We had to yank on the lower unit to get it off the engine.
I'm replacing the water pump and drive shaft seal while I've got it apart. One question, the drive shaft wobbles at the top quite a bit. I assume this is because it's designed to allow for some misalignment and the engine spline holds it in place at the top. Anything to worry about there? We had to yank on the lower unit to get it off the engine.