2003 Johnson ST 6/8 HP 4 Stroke Outboards Service Manual, PN 5005471, Page 225Get this manual
GEARCASE ASSEMBLY8 Position one pinion thrust washer on the pinionOil and install the thrust bearingInstall the other thrust washer on the pinionyokeInstall and tighten the pivot pin to 48 to 84 inIbs(5 to Nm)
Install the pinion in the gearcaseIf the pinion binds upon assembly, angle the forward gear to allow engagementIf binding is still present, the forward bearing cup is not properly seated
Coat the threaded area of the shift rod with TripleGuard greaseSlide the shift rod down through the shift rod bushing and thread it into the yoke until seatedThen back out shift rod until the jog is facing towards the front of the gearcase