1998 Mercury 9.9/15HP 4-stroke outboards factory service manual, Page 327Get this manual
BIG FOOT
2025 (2 Stroke) 17While turning drive shaft in clockwise direction, pull up lightly on shift shaft until gear housing is in forward gear (propeller shaft turns clockwise)18Install flat washer (retained) onto shift shaft51187
a-Washer IMPORTANT: Verify water tube (inside drive shaft housing) is connected to the water tube seal in the adaptor plate19Position twist grip on tiller handle so that outboard is in forward gear