The shift shaft on my '91 175 Yamaha sheared just above the lower unit. It was badly corroded at the point just above where it goes into lower unit. Bottom of shaft has a fixed barrel fitting that slides over geared fitting on lower unit. Not sure how top end is mated. I've removed the grease bearing so it's loose enough to pull out vertically but there's not enough clearance between the lever and the powerhead to get the lever out with the shaft still attached to it. I would think that the top end of the shaft is mated to the lever in a way that would allow the shaft to be disconnected from the lever so that the shaft could be removed from the bottom side after disconnecting the lower unit. However, the shaft looks to be welded to the lever. If that's the case, the only way to remove it would be to cut it just below the lever, or remove power head. Both options suggest a serious engineering design flaw. No corrosion at all in that area so I know it isn't just corroded in place. I've removed the grease bearing around the top end of the shaft and I still can't see how the shaft attaches other than the weld spot on top of the lever. Anyone know if the shaft was designed such that it can be removed without pulling the powerhead? If not, anyone know if the replacement part can be installed without pulling powerhead (it's listed as a new "different" replacement part.<br />Ctone