Hard to shift back to neutral OMC Cobra

[thomasjpierce21]

I recently installed a new remote on my 89 OMC Cobra i/o and it shifts perfectly into forward and reverse (i did the 5 step adjustment, adjusted the shift lever height, replaced cables, etc). The problem is that is does not want to come out of gear easily. I think the ESA and overstroke switches work fine and it shifts smoothly on land, just wont go back into neutral easily in the water.

If I jiggle the remote and add some force it come out of gear and I can hear the engine studder as the ESA engages but maybe it's not engaging soon enough??

Any advice is greatly appeciated!