Please help! Replacing bushing, rod keeper on 1193 Evinrude115 HP

[johnny be]

While attempting to disengage the shift rod lever, I took the cotter pin out of the shift lever and pulled instead of pushed, breaking the plastic bushing shift rod keeper. I ordered the part and was able to access this rod. When I removed the existing broken piece, the two clips on the end of the bushing broke. After removing these two little pieces, I attempted to install the newly ordered part but for the life of me cannot get the new bushing in because the two clips on the end of the piece won't go in.
What am I missing?

 

[boobie]

Did you ever get the bushing in ?? I wrote a lot about this and the post disappeared .

 

[johnny be]

I clipped the two points off and put it in that way. To do it properly I would have to get the engine block off and I can't afford that. Thanks a bunch for your help thought

 

[boobie]

Good luck with it staying in place.