Re: cant get outdrive in gear for removal
OK, you have the gearhousing off right? See that little splined shaft in the front? There should be a 1" stainless washer on it, put that somewhere safe so it doesn't get lost. Turn the shaft all the way clockwise, then try to turn the prop shaft, should lock CCW, one step CCW on the shaft is neutral, all the way CCW shaft should lock CW. If that works out your gearhousing is working correctly. Now look at the bellhousing, there should be a square shaft at the end of the shift cable, that is the shift slide. It should move freely, aft when you shift to F, forward when you shift to N or r. Check that to make sure it is working. The little wheel on the upper shift shaft lever should be captured between the two arms on the slide. Do that stuff and get back to us.