Pulled lower while in gear... now it's not in gear

[Noah Burns]

I pulled my lower while in gear to replace impeller, housing and base. Did all that and reinstalled and now with the shifter still in gear, the case doesn't turn over.

2.5, 20" offshore, CLE

Thoughts?

[Merc 2.5]

It's common for shift shaft get bumped or sumthin and spring back to neutral , pull back off and stab it in neutral or put it back in forward gear and stab it

[Aaronhl]

Easy, take lower unit off again and then use a socket to click the lower unit shift shaft to neutral (the middle click)...then when you reinstall it make sure the shifter (at steering wheel or engine block) is in neutral

I like to match both by using neutral because I can lock the shifter in neutral and easily spin the prop to verify it’s still in neutral once the shift shaft is connected before putting all the bolts back on.

[rgsauger]

Some preferred to do both of them in neutral. I prefer to do both of them in forward. Either way, it’s real simple, as 2.5 said the shifter just got bumped out of position in your lower

[Noah Burns]

I used some water pump pliers and verified it had infact popped back in to neutral. Put the shifter back to neutral and reinstalled. All is well now, I had never had one do that before. Thanks guys!

[rgsauger]

Congrats bud