1997+ Mercury 35/40HP 2 Cylinder Outboards Service Manual PN 90-826148R2, Page 331Get this manual
6 R emove starter she ave
Cleaning and Inspection
Cle an components in solvent and dry with compressed airInspect rewind spring for kinks, burrs, corrosion of bre akageInspect starter she ave, rope guide and starter housing for nicks, grooves, cracks, we ar or distortion, especially are of rope travelInspect bushing, starter drive pawl and spring for we ar or damageInspect starter rope for we arR eplace components as necessary