I just replaced the impeller ... the lower unit went back on well, but now it is stuck in forward. No neutral or reverse, I redid it and tried to make sure the shifting level got ok but no change.
Make sure your lower unit is in neutral and your shifter is in the neutral position. The LU is in neutral when the prop spins freely both ways. Turn the shift shaft on the LU CCW to put it in neutral
Make sure your lower unit is in neutral and your shifter is in the neutral position. The LU is in neutral when the prop spins freely both ways. Turn the shift shaft on the LU CCW to put it in neutral
Also, You'll know you're in reverse if the prop is locked when you turn it either direction. Forward should be locked in one direction, ratchet in the other.
Also, make sure the upper and lower shift shafts lined up and engaged each other when you slide the lower unit back on. I had a tough time doing this and had it apart several times. What I found was there was a hole in the front of the lower unit near where the bolt goes through. I could just reach in this hole with a screwdriver to hold the shaft in the right spot while sliding it together. Good luck.
Got it together about 30 minutes with my wife trying to keep the shift shaft straight went in so smooth .... but unfortunately the upper nut has to go on before it is completely together.
So take apart and another 15 minutes and it is now together and shifting properly.