2001 yamaha 9.9hp 4 stroke questions (upper shift rod broken)

[bfriendly]

Hello I picked this motor up as-is, previous owner broke the upper shift shaft trying to remove the lower unit and gave up.. The rod its self broke just below where it attaches up above and fell out. I was able to salvage the brass connecting nut and lock nut, and ordered the new part...

Do I have to pull the power head to replace this part? any short cuts and/or things to watch out for? thanks!!!

 

[99yam40]

I am fairly sure the only way to get it done is remove the power head,
But I have never worked on a 4 stroke motor like that. so looking in the service manual would be a good idea