1998 Mercury 9.9/15HP 4-stroke outboards factory service manual, Page 325Get this manual
BIG FOOT
6Secure gear housing to drive shaft house with four (4) screwsTorque screws to 40 lb-ft (54.2 Nm)
a-Screws (4) Torque to 40 lb-ft (54.2 Nm) 7Thread (retained) "jam" nut onto lower shift to expose five (5) threads above the nut8Reconnect shift shaft coupling and tighten "jam" nut against coupler9Shift to forward gear10Assemble reverse hook guide around lower shift shaft and tighten boltnut to allow adjustment57141