BIGRIGZ

I'm changing the waterpump on my outboard. I have the lower unit loose from the upper unit but, it is not dropping all the way down and out of the upper. only drops about 4-6"s then hangs up on the shift shaft linkage.

It seems to be that the shift shaft is connected to the upper gearcase and is supposed to pull out of the lower unit when you drop the lower unit. So that the lower unit keeps the driveshaft and the upper unit keeps the shift shaft.

I took off the pickup screens on the side of the foot and loosened the nuts that connect the lower linkage to the upper shift shaft linkage.

It may be some sort of a compression nut but the nut on the upper shift shaft won't fit thru the the opening in the foot/water pump so that the lower unit will drop free.

SOO, how do I get the shift shaft loose??

Tuna Man

I THINK that a shaft goes up just behind the powerhead. Look there. I think I remember a thread about that.:doh

On my old Rude there was a inspection/access plate (two screws) in the side of the center section of the foot. Two hex bolts(inside)hold the upper and lower shife shaft together.

Hunt4Jesus

I remember we did our 98 Johnson 150. I believe their is a pin or clip that the rod goes from lower to upper unit that you must pull out. It connects somehow. I know I am not much help, but I remember we had to turn the wheel to get access and then unhook a pin or something that was holding that small rod in. My father in law has the book, and I am trying to remember.

answer24

on my evinrude 150 the shift shaftruns up to the powerhead and a bolt holds it to the shift mecanisim under the carb on the front of the motor I`am pretty sure your shift shaft is bolted to the shift mecanisimnear the powerhead just follow your shift cable,mine was hidden under the carburator

sealark

On the Johnson and Evinrude the shift shaft is connected to the upper housing and must be disconnected. On some of the older models I remember having to actually cut the shift shaft and replacing it when rebuilding the pump or replacing the upper seals. The newer models have a bolted pin or threaded pin that hold them in place. I hope you havent put too much pressure on the shaft trying to get it to come down something along the way could be damaged if you have.

Tuna Man

EXPLODED VIEW

http://www.iboats.com/Johnson_Gearca...view_id.272925

Larger HP models look like this... 40 HP and up to 50 HP