I just replaced my lower shift cable, and I found a way to thread it that might be easier than using string.
After you remove the outboard unit, disconnect the upper end of the cable on top of the engine. Be sure to remove the stainless threaded rod from the engine side of the casing, or else that assembly will be too long to make the corner behind the engine. Pull the core out from the outboard side. The core has a ferrule on one end. Take the old core inside the boat and thread the non-ferrule end back into the engine-side of the casing. Now when you pull out the casing from the outboard side, have someone hold onto the end of the old core. When you get the casing completely out, the core will still be in place. Now thread the stub of the outboard side of the core into the new casing. The core will help guide the new casing as you push the it back into the boat. When the new casing is in place, just pull the old core out and throw it away.
Also, you might need the special socket to remove the casing from the bell housing. Just cut off the white plastic end from the old cable and you can then get use thinwall 9/16" or 14mm socket. The new cable doesn't need to be real tight. I used vice grips on a 14mm deep socket and was able to get the new casing secure.
After you remove the outboard unit, disconnect the upper end of the cable on top of the engine. Be sure to remove the stainless threaded rod from the engine side of the casing, or else that assembly will be too long to make the corner behind the engine. Pull the core out from the outboard side. The core has a ferrule on one end. Take the old core inside the boat and thread the non-ferrule end back into the engine-side of the casing. Now when you pull out the casing from the outboard side, have someone hold onto the end of the old core. When you get the casing completely out, the core will still be in place. Now thread the stub of the outboard side of the core into the new casing. The core will help guide the new casing as you push the it back into the boat. When the new casing is in place, just pull the old core out and throw it away.
Also, you might need the special socket to remove the casing from the bell housing. Just cut off the white plastic end from the old cable and you can then get use thinwall 9/16" or 14mm socket. The new cable doesn't need to be real tight. I used vice grips on a 14mm deep socket and was able to get the new casing secure.
