Mercury Mariner 200, 225 Optimax Outboards Service Manual, 90-855348, Page 434Get this manual
SHIFT SPOOL ASSEMBLY (NON-RATCHETING)COMPONENT REASSEMBLY
SHIFT SPOOL ASSEMBLYADJUSTMENT
1Assemble the shift spool and shift spool shaft as follows: aPlace the shift spool onto the shift spool shaftbAssemble the castle nut and screw it down until it touches the washer and slight resistance is feltcLoosen the castle nut until the cotter pin slot of the castle nut is aligned with the hole in the shaftIf, when the castle nut is screwed down, the cotter pin slot is already aligned at the hole in the shaft, back the castle nut off until the next available slot in the nut is aligned with the hole in the shaft
NOTE: If the shift spool assembly has been disassembled and reassembled (as in the previous two sections) skip the following instructions, (1 through 4)NOTE: If the shift spool assembly has not been disassembled and reassembled, do all of the following steps1Remove and discard the cotter pin2Screw the castle nut down until it touches the washer and slight resistance is felt3Loosen the castle nut until the cotter pin slot of the castle nut is aligned with the hole in the shaftIf, when the castle nut is screwed down, the cotter pin slot is not aligned at the hole in the shaft, back off the castle nut until the next available slot in the nut is aligned with the hole in the shaft4Insert new cotter pin and bend ends in opposite directions5Inspect to insure that the spool spins freely (it may be helpful to lightly tap the forward [castle nut] end of the shift spool shaft against firm surface to align the internal parts)