Mercruiser alpha one impeller replacement/shifter shaft

[91bayliner]

I am replacing my the impeller on a Mercruiser Alpha One and have a question about the shifter shaft. I pulled the lower unit and was able to get the impeller replaced without any issues. However I am working on getting the lower unit mounted back up and am having difficulties with the shifter shaft. The shaft is just hanging from the upper unit and need to be pushed back up to reseat, however I am not able to hold the shaft up while re mounting the lower unit... So my question is should the shifter shaft be hanging like this or do I have an issue there that needs to be addressed. If this is normal, how do I get shaft to stay up while I am installing the lower unit..?

 

[pugetsounder]

More importantly you need to make sure the splined shifter shaft on the lower is in forward gear (turned clockwise until it engages) then make sure the shifter mechanism in the upper is pointed forward when you put the halves together. And don't forget the washer that goes over the splined shaft. It takes a bit of maneauvering and three hands would help but you can get it. Sometimes the last 1/4" you need to tighten the nuts and bolts but if it doesn't want to go don't force it. Sometimes it's the drive shaft spline that is hard to line up. Keep working at it you will get it.