Stuck outboard gear linkage

[C08]

Yamaha ft25 outboard due for first lmpeller change. The 4 bolts and the bolt under the anode came out without problem all nicely duralac threads from new, the gear linkage lock nut loose and the threaded coupling fully backed off. However the threaded coupling seems to be reluctant to disconnect. I have changed dozens of impellers on various engines but this has me stumped so
any bright ideas? I am busily getting the boat ready to launch and I will miss my lift out if I cannot sort it.

 

[QBhoy]

Is there two nuts on the gear linkage threaded bar, on this ? Have that in my head, that there is. No doubt you’ll know already, but she will likely have to be in gear to have the linkage in a position that you can back the nuts off far enough too. Not sure which gear…but one of them being engaged will make it easier for sure. Hope that helps, if you haven’t got it figured already

 

[C08]

Thanks for the suggestion, I appreciate any ideas as i am totally baffled. There is one lock nut at the top of the threaded sleeve connecting the top rod to the rod going to the gearbox. However it has just occured to me that as the bottom rod is not threaded apart from the top bit it may be that the threaded sleeve is intended to wind upwards having backed off the locknut by say 12mm? That must be the only possibility as the threaded sleeve is going down as far as the plain unthreaded rod and not releasing the linkage. A pity I am now home 2 hours from the boat!

 

[QBhoy]

Thanks for the suggestion, I appreciate any ideas as i am totally baffled. There is one lock nut at the top of the threaded sleeve connecting the top rod to the rod going to the gearbox. However it has just occured to me that as the bottom rod is not threaded apart from the top bit it may be that the threaded sleeve is intended to wind upwards having backed off the locknut by say 12mm? That must be the only possibility as the threaded sleeve is going down as far as the plain unthreaded rod and not releasing the linkage. A pity I am now home 2 hours from the boat!

The sleeve pulls up for sure. Then the nut backs off. Sounds like you’ve got the idea how to tackle it, once you’re back. You’d also have more room with it, if the lower unit is slightly gapped away from the mid section too, I’d think.

 

[VicS]

Thanks for the suggestion, I appreciate any ideas as i am totally baffled. There is one lock nut at the top of the threaded sleeve connecting the top rod to the rod going to the gearbox. However it has just occured to me that as the bottom rod is not threaded apart from the top bit it may be that the threaded sleeve is intended to wind upwards having backed off the locknut by say 12mm? That must be the only possibility as the threaded sleeve is going down as far as the plain unthreaded rod and not releasing the linkage. A pity I am now home 2 hours from the boat!

You don't clearly identify the model but based on the diagrams I have looked at the lock nut should be below the threaded sleeve and to disconnect the upper and lower shift rods from each other the threaded sleeve should be screwed upwards fully onto the upper rod, after slackening the lock nut, until it is free from the lower rod.
If the lock nut is indeed above the threaded sleeve both will have to be screwd up the upper rod until the lower shift rod is free.
As you disconnect the two rods take note of any space between their ends inside the thread sleeve although I expect they probably have to be connected so that they are touching or as close to each other as possible.

When reassembling I would consider fitting the lock on to the lower shift rod , ie below the threaded sleeve, as shown in the diagrams.