Description

The Mercury MerCruiser Quicksilver 45518A3 is a genuine Mercury Marine OEM shift lever assembly used in select MerCruiser sterndrive shift linkage and upper gear housing service applications. This lever transfers shift cable movement through the drive’s internal shift mechanism so the drive can engage forward, neutral, and reverse correctly. It is a fitment-specific component used where the MerCruiser parts diagram calls for 45518A3 / 45518A 3.

Key Features

• Genuine Mercury Marine factory OEM shift lever assembly.
• Mercury/MerCruiser part number: 45518A3.
• Alternate spacing reference: 45518A 3.
• Used in select MerCruiser sterndrive shift linkage and upper gear housing assemblies.
• Helps restore proper mechanical shift movement when the original lever is worn, damaged, or missing.
• Listed shipping weight: 0.06 lb.
• Listed shipping dimensions: 2.88 in. L x 1.00 in. W x 0.63 in. H.
• Commonly serviced with related shift linkage hardware such as the shift lever screw and flat washer where specified by diagram.

Application Compatibility

Common where-used application groups include select MerCruiser sterndrive and transom assemblies by serial number and diagram location, including:

• MerCruiser MC-I / R / MR sterndrive applications where specified
• MerCruiser Alpha One sterndrive applications where specified
• MerCruiser Alpha One Gen II sterndrive applications where specified
• Select R, MR, and Alpha One transom assembly shift linkage locations where specified

Use this lever only where the MerCruiser drive or transom parts diagram specifically calls for 45518A3.

Fitment Notice

Confirm fitment by drive serial number, transom assembly, shift linkage layout, and exact MerCruiser parts diagram before ordering. Alpha, R, MR, and Gen II shift systems can use different levers, washers, screws, bushings, shift shafts, and cable hardware depending on production range and drive configuration.

When This Part Needs Replacement

Replace this shift lever assembly if the original lever is worn, bent, corroded, loose on the linkage, missing, or damaged during upper gear housing or shift cable service. It should also be inspected when the drive is difficult to shift, will not engage cleanly, grinds during shifting, jumps out of gear, or has excessive shift cable adjustment issues after the cable and shift components have been checked.

Installation Notes

Install this lever in the exact diagram location that calls for 45518A3 / 45518A 3. Inspect the lower shift cable, shift slide, shift shaft, washer, screw, bushings, bell housing linkage, and related hardware while the assembly is apart. After installation, adjust the shift cable and verify forward, neutral, and reverse engagement according to the MerCruiser service manual for the specific drive model.

Alternate/Superseded Part Numbers

• 45518A3 — Mercury/MerCruiser shift lever assembly number
• 45518A 3 — alternate spacing reference
• 10-8M0084649 — related shift lever screw reference; verify by diagram
• 12-39116 — related flat washer reference; verify by diagram

Parts Desk Insight

Shift linkage parts should be matched by drive model, serial number, and diagram location rather than by appearance alone. A small difference in lever geometry or hardware stack can affect shift cable travel, clutch engagement, and return-to-neutral adjustment on Alpha and related MerCruiser drives.

Shipping: Ships same or next day for fast Canada wide shipping.