Impeller replacement 2002 40hp mercury efi

[verbryck]

I am in the process of changing out the impeller on a 2002 Mercury 40ELPTEFI SN 0T477741 4 stroke.

I can not see how the gear shift rod gets released on this unit.

No problem finding the 5 bolts to lower the lower unit about an inch but I do not see any shift rod Jam nut release like I saw on the I-tune video I watched. The video was of a Mercury 50 HP unit a little older than this one. It had a two nut release on the rod. This was on the D-Ray's shop video.
Another video showed bigger Mercury units. 75,90,105, and 115 hp. Those lower ends just slid right down with the drive rod.

So now my one hour impeller job has turned into a mind bender.

Anyone out there have any idea on how the shift rod gets released from this motor.

Any help sure would be appreciated.thankS, verbryck

 

[verbryck]

Well i answered my own question . The linkage release is up underneath the powerhead. Very nearly unaccessable unless your a 5 year or have unusually small hands. you flip a plastic tab up and pull it to the right side of the engine and the linkage releases. you can't really see it or touch it fine engineering at work!! Hope this helps someone else. Verbryck

 

[fishingjack14]

I am trying accomplish the same thing on my 2002, any chance you could send a picture of that linkage release? After you got it off was it difficult to line it back up on the assembly?

Thanks