Power Pilot problem

[Old Mort]

I have an old Glasstron with a 55 HP Evinrude that has a Power Pilot control box. This year it failed to go into reverse. Once it started I could push it forward but when I moved the lever back it wouldn't go into neutral. So I took it all apartstarting with the lever...then the warm up lever, I took out all three screws in the lower front and the two in the back. Its a side mount of course, so I detached it from the side and opened the box. I unhitched the cable ends from the motor and then took everything out of the box. The bottom cable or the one furthest in seemed pretty stiff so I oiled it up until it moved better. The only other thing that seemed not right was the bearing that moved through the plastic route part. It seemed to stick in certain places. so I oiled it up and put the whole thing back together including the electric switch and the spring loaded ball bearing. With the cables free of the gear shift and throttle they moved freely as did the throttle and reverse gear shifter. So I hooked everything back up and tried it. It started so I shut it off (It's on the trailer) and tried to put it into neutral. No go...It wouldn't go into neutral or reverse. I went through this whole procedure at least five times and the last time I held it in pretty mush of a straight line outside the boat and it worked great. It has 12 ft cables and I think she needs 10 footers...this never seemed to matter before however...any suggestions are welcome.