1998 Mercury 9.9/15HP 4-stroke outboards factory service manual, Page 366Get this manual
MANUAL STARTER
Manual Rewind Reassembly
STARTER ROPE REPLACEMENT
NOTE: Starter rope length: When replacing the starter, cut the length to 71 in(1.500 mm)1Push the starter rope through the rope hole in the starter sheavePull end of rope out of the knot recess2Tie knot into the end of the rope and pull the knot back into the recess3Wind the rope counterclockwise around the sheave