broken shifter jam

[striperman36]

in the throttle control there is a small black piece that holds the motor cable hosing in place so the cable inside can move freely.
Mine has some how broken into pieces. I thought the shifter was stiff last year and I took it apart this spring to lube the interior.
I did not notice this missing component until I tried to shift into gear,
Oops.
Can someone tell me if this piece the you can purchase somewhere?
The cable when disconnected from the shifter and the shifter lever on the engine seems to move smoothly.

I also made sure I lubed the shifter bar but I am unable to shift the motor manually into gear while I spin the prop. Is this normal?

Thanks,
Bill

[freebie]

first, what kind of motor? and yes you should be able to shift into gear manually, I would start by looking at the linkage on the motor, then probably going to involve pulling the lower, it should go in gear fairly easy, might be a good time to check the gear oil too

[striperman36]

1999 Johnson 90 spl
Changed the crank case oil last winter when she when to bed
no seal leakage

[freebie]

do you know how to disconnect the shift rod from the linkage?

[striperman36]

nope I never have dropped the lower unit myself. I can shift it into gear and rotate the flywheel, I can then disengage it and get it back into gear. The more I look at it the more I suspect the cable is not moving as easily as it should.

[striperman36]

Looks like I am going to need to replace the shifter cable, have to pull the old one first.
Wish I could put the boat inside the A/C!!!!