1974 - 1998 OMC 9.9/15 Prop shaft ball detent

[thatone123]

Anyone have any good ideas for getting those 2 small ball bearings into the prop shaft as the shaft slide into the shift dog. The often mentioned service manual says just to use a flat screwdriver to press/push them in. Someone told me there is a OMC service tool that I can't find anywhere for this job. I have heard of a few other methods, but none seem that great. ? Or work very well, without a ton of frustration.

 

[jimmbo]

Hose Clamp

 

[thatone123]

That sounds like something I almost thought up, but couldn't quite get there. Don't know if I will ever do one of these again, but if I do. I will try the hose clamp. Hell, I will probably go try it.

 

[racerone]

I use a screwdriver.----Works every time in seconds.

 

[kbait]

Grease to hold balls on end of spring.. pop into dog. If it’s a 3 eared dog, small screwdriver to hold the ball that isn’t sliding by an ‘ear’ into place. Patience...