Re: How to take off Mercury outboard ?
The control cables are an assembly and are removed intact (brass barrel nut, fine threaded part, and black nylon end piece). The cables are attached to the motor at two points: 1.) at the ends which move when the controls are moved, and 2.) the brass barrel nuts which are stationary and which allow fine adjustment of the length of travel of the control cables.
To disconnect, begin with the cable ends. The cable ends have a terminal with a hole in it which is placed over a pin in either the throttle arm or the shift actuator. Throttle cable is on top, shift cable on bottom. Usually there is a spring-loaded pivoting swivel which swings away from the pin on the throttle arm allowing you to pull the cable end off. On the shift cable there is probably a latch which can be gently pried open to allow you to lift the cable end off. If no latch, the shift cable is held on with a nut which must be removed.
The barrel nuts are held in position with a spring loaded mechanism. You?ll have to reach inside the housing, find the levers, push them away from the motor and turn ? turn. This should allow the retainer to pass through the barrel nut and free it. Once it is loose, simply lift it up slightly and pull out towards the front of the boat.
It is easiest to work with one cable at a time starting with the throttle. Also, if you will be re-installing, label each cable with a piece of tape; otherwise they are easy to mix up on re-assembly. Hope this helps.
