9.9 Yamaha shifter prob aftyer changing impeller

[Joe SixPack]

I have changed the impeller of my 9.9 sj yamaha outboard. After fighting it for awhile I managed to get the lower unit off. After looking further into youtube if find that I should have unscrewed the shifter lever coming down to the lower unit. I had pulled the rod with the beveled end out. Now when I put the lower unit back in I cannot get the shifter to move out of the forward gear. how do I overcome this problem.

 

[99yam40]

I believe you will have to take the lower unit apart to get it back in properly