1998 Mercury 9.9/15HP 4-stroke outboards factory service manual, Page 242Get this manual
CLAMPSWIVEL BRACKETSDRIVE SHAFT HOUSING
15Position lower loop of looped end link rod over end of the lower shift shaft16Thread (retained) "jam" nut onto lower shift to expose five (5) threads above the nut57138
a-Looped End Reverse Link Rod b-Lower Shift Shaft c-Jam Nut 17Place shift handle (tiller models) or shift lever (remote control models) into neutral18Place gear housing into neutral by pulling up on shift shaft to neutral detent(Propeller will rotate freely in either direction)19Reconnect shift shaft coupling and tighten "jam" nut against coupler