2004 SR Johnson 4 Stroke 9.9-15HP Outboards Service Manual, Page 178Get this manual
GEARCASE FORWARD GEARPINION GEAR Prior to checking the tooth contact pattern, be sure slight amount of backlash exists between pinion gear and forward gear by slightly rotating driveshaft or forward gear by handIf there is no backlash, reduce back-up shim thicknessIf there is too much backlash, increase back-up shim thickness
Backlash: 0.100.20 mm (0.0040.008 in) Checking and adjusting tooth contact pattern (Pinion and Forward gear)
Check tooth contact pattern by using the following procedure: 1To assess tooth contact, smear light coat of Pruss ian Blue on the convex surface of forward gear2Install propeller shaft and housing assy (minus reverse gear and internal components)3Push propeller shaft inward and hold in position4Rotate the driveshaft clockwise 5-6 times by hand, then pull out propeller shaft and housing to check tooth contact patternPUSH