Just changed my impeller on my 1999 BF130. All went well until I tried to reattach the lower unit. I have a one inch gap.

Drive shaft goes in fine but I can't get the long shift rod to insert into the base of the power head. This results in a one inch gap when I try to insert the Lower unit.

When I removed the lower unit, the long shift rod came out with the lower unit.

What is the trick to get the long shift rod re-inserted? Should I try to insert the shift rod separated from the lower unit first? Then try to mount the lower unit? Not sure how to do this. Please advise. Thank-you.

Never mind. I figured this one out on my own.