Yamaha shift controls

I bought a "barn boat" with very little hours but sitting over a year with no use. Got it running and everything seems fine, but the shift lever when I shift into forward it is very balky when it first engages and then when I back off to neutral it is stiff.
I have fooled around with various repairs on boats but I have never had a reason to take the control levers off. Is there a way to lube it or any internal adjustment to the control box. I just hate to take it off and have parts start falling everywhere without first asking for advice.
It is a 1999 Yamaha 40HP if that matters. The control box looks like ones I've seen on numerous other rigs.
Thanks
SeaRay

You need a foot and a half of 3/8 ID reinforced plastic hose from Lowes, a tire valve, three hose clamps, a tire pump or small 12 volt air compressor with a gage, and MMO.

Shave the tire valve down and clamp it in one end of the hose.

1. Remove the fittings from one end of the cable.

2. Put 3 inches of Marvel Mystery Oil in the hose for every 20 feet of cable length.

3. Double clamp oil filled hose over cable.

4. Apply and maintain 50 PSI of air to the tire chuck. DO NOT EXCEED 50 PSI.

5. It will take 10 to 30 minutes for oil to appear at the other end. then your done. Have rags to catch the oil if your in a sensitive area.

I suggest safety glasses just in case somethings blows apart, but I have never had a problem.

got this from a houseboat forum I read and it works

this is what it will look likeAttachment 205006

So it appears the binding is coming from the cable, not the control box. I thought that might be the case, but have never messed with that end of the cable. Had a steering cable binding due to some surface rust one time. This boat has sitting for some time. Guy had some health issues and it just sat in his shop. Good news it has few hours on it, but you run into stuff like this when things sit up.
Thanks for the tip.