[jaymasta]

hey guys I have started the job, put the gear shift in forward I removed the trim tab, removed the 4 bolts that hold the lower unit on and iam at the point where Iam trying to get the L/U off it comes down about an inch and a half and it appears to be getting hung up on the shift shaft, I have tried it in forward, neutral and reverse and its all the same thing I don't want to force anything, any tips as to why it isn't coming off for me or have I missed a step?
thanks
Jason

[Texasmark]

I'm a bigger engine guy, but in reading others threads, who talk about your size engine, you may have an upper clamp holding it on.

I'd start with the shifter (the actual lever you touch to shift) and follow the mechanics back into the engine. You have an idea where the shift rod comes up by observing where the shaft is....just a matter of following it up.

Bigger Mercs twist to shift. Maybe yours does too. So, I'd look for an interface between the vertical shift rod and the shifter lever. You will probably find a lever arm clamped onto the shift shaft,operated by the shifter lever and jammed up against something below it.

Unscrewing it and prising it off will probably solve your problem.

HTH

Mark