1985 18hp Mercury lower unit. Bent prop shaft.

[Lostfisher]

I have a lower unit with a bent prop shaft. A rock was hit while driving the boat around. I have a replacement shaft but would like to know what i need to pull the gearcase housing and if there is anything I need to know while disassembling and reassembling the gears. Also I am going to replace the impellar while i am working on the motor. When I take the lower off do i leave the motor in reverse or forward. And will it be hard to get the linkage lined up when putting it all back together.

[hos]

you will need a puller for the bearings If i were you I would pull the lower unit off and take it to a shop and have them do it. it isn't all that hard with the right tools, I just dont want to have you break something and make an expensive mistake. when you pull the lower put it in forward gear and when you go to put it back in make shure it is still in forward that way when you get the shaft up against the powerhead you can spin the prop to line up the splines. good luck