Shift Rod issues

[ChoptankC]

I removed the lower unit of my 1999 Yamaha C50TLRX two stroke and the shift rod was stuck in the upper casing and pulled free from my lower unit. Upon replacing the lower, my motor starts in forward and has no neutral. How can I fix it? Pull the shift rod free and replace in lower unit? Did I bust something loose in the lower and it can't be easily fixed? I'm at a loss.

 

[99yam40]

you will need to disassemble the lower unit to get it back to where it needs to be.
service manual will help

 

[ChoptankC]

Ok, thanks. I was hoping to avoid that, but I guess there's no other option.