1984-1986 Mercury Force 9.9 and 15HP Outboards Service Manual, Page 66Get this manual
3Remove bearing cage:Remove screws securing bearing assembly to lower gear housing cage
6Separate lower gear housing from upper gear housing
BInstall puller (Special Tool NoT 8948-1) Remove bearing cage assemblyFigure 10
7Remove gear housing gasket from parting line of upper to lower gear housing
Figure 10Removing Be.rlng e.g 4Remove long, hex bolt in lront of water pump cavityRemove lower gear shift rod by turning counterclockwise until it unthreads from shift cam