mercury 40 hp shift shaft

[mercnut]

have removed all bolts to remove lower unit, how to remove shift shaft? this is an older model, 1977-78, no cotter pin at the top of shaft, looks like there is a small set screw or drift pin going through shifter into top of shaft - will appreciate any & all suggestions.

[jebeebe]

hi,
I am not sure what you are trying to do, but if you are just trying to get the lower unit off you don't have to punch that pin out. It should come off the lower unit at the bottom on it't own as it is a spline and will remain in the leg when the lower unit comes off. Pop the little cap off the bottom of the leg and there is a bolt down in the hole that holds the trim tab on and after removing the trim tab you will see another bolt holding the lower unit on. If you already know that and have the lower unit off and just want to get the shift rod out, put something weighty on the other side of the shift rod and drive the roll pin out and it will fall off. Make sure to mark it so it goes back on the same way. Could effect the spline position at the bottom. Hope this helps.............Jerry

[mercnut]

thanks for the info -trying to get the lower unit off to install a water pump kit - now I see that the very small drive pin goes through the shifter & the top of the shift shaft - problem is that it sits very low, below the carb making it very difficult to get to without removing most of the top of the motor - unless some one knows a good trick I might have to give up & take it to the shop.

[jebeebe]

I still don't think you have to take the shift shaft out. At least not on my 60. It should come loose from the lower unit at the bottom of the shaft. Mine has a spline that just slips off the stub at the bottom. Could be that it is rusted on, or maybe its different. The drive shaft and water pipe are the only things that come down out of the leg.

[mercnut]

could be - I will try to knock it loose again - maybe I just wasn't thumping it hard enough to break it apart. Thanks again!

[marc c]

Are you sure you have removed all the fasteners?

On my 66 there are 3 nuts and 1 allen bolt to remove before seperating the drive.