Gears grinding in neutral

[Kaykatz]

Hi all, I just picked up a boat with a yamaha 60hp 2 stroke. At times, there is a grinding noise coming from the lower unit. Sometimes it's faint and sometimes it's loud. I discovered that if I move the shifter slightly, the grinding goes away. I haven't picked up a manual yet. Is this a linkage adjustment or a shift rod adjustment problem?

 

[99yam40]

I just helped my brother go through a C60 lower unit and found the shift shaft and pin through the dog and prop shaft bent/twisted from someone trying to shift it with motor not running

 

[Kaykatz]

Ooops, I didn't know that you shouldn't know that you shouldn't shift gears without the motor running, so I guess I'm the one who messed it up. It sounds like you nailed the problem right on the head. I have a 1999 C60LRTX. Thanks Admiral

 

[99yam40]

Good luck getting the big nut holding the carrier out and the carrier and prop shaft too.
corrosion can be a big problem getting things to move

Never force a shift with motor or prop shaft not turning to help line up the notches on gears and shift dog