I pulled the lower unit on my 9.8 mercury outboard to check the water
pump.
I am trying to reinstall it, and everything appears to aligned
correct, but I can not get it to reassemble the last 1". Neither the
drive shaft nor the direction shaft have corrosion on the ends, and
neither is chipped or broken.

I had pulled it apart about a year ago, and reassembled it pretty
smoothly. I can not remember having to do anything special to
reassemble.

I can see where the direction shaft is engaging with the motor, from a
side view. If I wiggle the direction handle, I can see the shaft move
with it. So it appears to be aligning.

Anyone with any suggestions or tricks for alligning/assembling?