dcamp

Looking for some advice. 1996 Johnson SPL is hard to shift into gear F and R. Appears not to be the cables or shifter assembly, the grease fitting near the linkage/under powerhead has been greased. Still very stiff to shift with no abnormal sounds when it actually goes into gear. I was told that the gear lube was changed recently and no metal shaving was found when it was changed. Where do I go next to try and trouble shoot this?