You’re welcome. I’m glad to hear you got it to drop down. That pinch bolt passes thru a notch in the shift rod so it’s retained even if the bolt becomes loose enough that friction doesn’t hold it. Be extra careful when you replace the lower unit that the notch in the shift rod is lined up as perfectly as possible with the pinch bolt hole. If it is misaligned, the threads on the pinch bolt can get damaged when the bolt is replaced. That will in turn damage the threads in the clamp and ruin it. Not difficult, just something to pay attention to so things don’t get damaged accidentally. 😉

Chris P’s advice here is very sound as well. While important to replace the O ring amd grease the drive shaft splines on all motors that have them, it is extra important with these motors since they sit so close to the water.
-Ben

I will guarantee the bolt that would not let the the lower unit drop now has damaged threads. Replace it! If the threads in the brass connector get stripped, it may be saved if the other hole is OK. You can remove it (carefully) and flip it end for end. Use a longer bolt & self locking nut in the stripped out hole to permanently attach it to the upper shift rod and use the the good lower end for assembly and disassembly. I LOVE the nail polish idea. I have been using a flashlight with a mini-bulb on the end of a goose neck to light up the hole. The shifted and connector MUST be precisely aligned or you will wipe out the streads. . . 🙂

The 0303067 driveshaft "O" ring should fit snugly in the slot below the splines. The driveshaft is stainless steel and will not rust. The crankshaft however is case hardened high carbon chrome nickel steel and will. The grease is to keep out water. To little grease and the crankshaft will rust to the drive shaft. To much will form a lock which will keep the shaft from being completely inserted. . . 😉