help!

i was going to check the impellor and i couldn't figure out how to get it completely seperated.  it seemed like either the drive shaft or shift linkage was holding it together. i was reading various sites and some suggestions were check inside the trim tab, take out the 2 water inlets, put it in forward. none of these helped. i removed the starter and could see the shift linkage where it goes down to the gear case but i couldn't figure out how to detach it anywhere. i noticed if i put it in reverse i could get about an inch between the lower and mid section so i was able to at least look at the impellor.  (everything was fine).  so im' going to order a service manual since my local library didn't have one to look at.  in the meantime, can anyone tell me how in the world to get this thing apart in the event i need to go back into it?  oh ya, it's a 2001  

thanks

steve

Did you remove the anode? The bolt that holds it also holds the lower unit to the mid section on most of the Mercs.

Your shift linkage is still attached.  There is either a bolt or pin holding it in place.  You have to find that little sucker before it's going anywhere.

Maybe this http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=137004&highlight=remove+lower+unit+25hp will help?