How to Release the Shaft to the Johnson Outboard to Do the Water Pump

The Johnson outboard motor driveshaft slides effortlessly away from the powerhead, but the shift shaft will stop you from gaining access to the water pump. The shift shaft connector isn't there to make life difficult, it's there to ensure that the motor pushes the boat in the right direction without guessing. Once you do take the necessary steps to release the shift shaft, you'll find that your access to the water pump is unimpeded.

Things You'll Need

  • 3/4-inch socket
  • 1/4-inch socket
  • Torque driver
  • Torque wrench
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Instructions

  1. Disconnecting the Shift Shaft

    • 1

      Remove the nuts from the studs that hold the lower unit to the exhaust tunnel, using a 3/4-inch socket. Pull down on the lower unit until the lower unit is barely separated from the motor.

    • 2

      Locate the shift shaft connector that joins the upper and lower shift shaft together.

    • 3

      Remove the nut from the bolt that passes through the shift shaft connector, using a 1/4-inch socket.

    • 4

      Pull the lower unit straight down. The shift shaft will pull out of the exhaust tunnel.

    Reconnecting the Shift Shaft

    • 5

      Insert the driveshaft into the motor's exhaust tunnel. Stop before the lower unit is fully seated on the exhaust tunnel.

    • 6

      Line up the groove in the top of the lower shift shaft with the hole in the shift shaft connector.

    • 7

      Thread the shift shaft-connector bolt through the hole. Tighten the bolt to 70 inch-pounds of torque, using a torque driver.

    • 8

      Push the lower unit up, so that the studs on the top of the unit go through the holes on the rim of the exhaust tunnel. Thread the nuts onto the studs and tighten to 110 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.