1995 Force, shift yolk connection

[Force39]

Hi, I'm new to Iboats and fairly new to boat motor repairs. I have a 1995 70hp Force outboard. I removed the prop and prop shaft assembly prior to removing the lower unit. I had water in the gear oil. When taking out the prop shaft the shift yolk came out also. I am going to install a water pump kit and already put in a new shift shaft seal and o-ring. Before doing the water pump I want to reinstall the prop shaft and shift yolk, but it looks like I could loose the shift yolk (small U shaped with tits on the sides) and have it drop down where I can't get at it without having to also remove the driveshaft. Is there a good way to carefully do this? I tried to download a picture, but it said file was too large.
Thank you, John

 

[roscoe]

Re: 1995 Force, shift yolk connection

Welcome to iboats Force39.

There is not a viable way to put it back together without disassembly.

On some older Chrysler and US Marine models, there was.
But your motor has a Mercury gearcase, and its not accessible.

Sorry for the bad news and extra work.

 

[Force39]

Re: 1995 Force, shift yolk connection

Can you take me through the process to get to where I can hook up the shift yolk? I've never pulled out a driveshaft. Even then it seems that it would be difficult to see/do the shift yolk. Thanks