Lower Unit Lesson Learned

[Oldsaltydog]

Because my manuals had not fully and clearly informed me and because I had to struggle with it, let me pass this information on for the benefit of those owning late model Force outboard motors built with the Mercury style splined shift rod in the lower unit. The easiest way to drop the LU is in neutral (though any gear will do, if you want the job of shifting gears manually afterwards), but make sure that you reinstall it in NEUTRAL, NOT IN FORWARD. (Of course, the remote shifter should be in neutral also.) Ironically, the latest issue of TRAILER BOATS magazine still prints an incorrect advice--drop and reinstall in forward. If you would like to double check on the subject, see the position of a Mercury certified pro at themarinedoctor.com. (My good "non-certified" mechanic friend agrees totally as well.) Hope all this helps.