Drive shaft alignment tool

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smithrock

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Do you HAVE to use the alignment tool for the drive when bolting back up the outdrive? Is there other ways that work?
I have an alpha 1 gen 1
 

fuzzybob

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Oct 26, 2008
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Re: Drive shaft alignment tool

If you're going to keep your boat you'll need to pull the drive many times to service and repair. You can buy the proper tool on e-bay for less than $50 bucks shipped. IMHO not much sense in reinventing the wheel for $50 bucks.
 

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
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Dec 8, 2005
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10,083
Re: Drive shaft alignment tool

Do you HAVE to use the alignment tool for the drive when bolting back up the outdrive?
Yes

Is there other ways that work?

Not really.

You can either make one (if you have access to a lathe) or buy one. It's just a piece of 1 3/8 steel.
 

bigskiohio

Master Chief Petty Officer
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May 3, 2008
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Re: Drive shaft alignment tool

I got these when i bought mine on ebay:

Inspect the splines on the shaft for visible wear, generally if the splines
are worn then the coupler is also worn. If wear is evident replace the parts
as needed.


NEVER Force the alignment tool in, you can damage the tool and the coupler.

1) Once you have the engine height close enough to
fully insert the tool without force, then you can start
working on setting the proper alignment.

Take your time, getting it close enough to insert the
tool the first time can sometimes be the hardest (most
frustrating) part.

2) Coat the end section of the tool (the smallest diameter
area) with a light coat of grease and then insert it fully
into the coupler.

3) Without turning the tool, pull it straight out and look at
the depth of the teeth marks in the grease.

If the teeth marks in the grease are deep on the
top side and shallow on the bottom side of the tool then
your motor is too high.

If the marks in the grease are deeper on the bottom than
on the top then your motor is too low.

4) Adjust the engine height accordingly.

5) Keep checking the depth of the marks in the grease until
they are equal in depth on top and bottom.

Sometimes as little as 1/8th of a turn on the adjusting nut can be the
difference between being properly aligned, and just having it "close"

Lightly Grease the splines on the shaft (and on the coupler if you can) with
Spline grease prior to assembly.
 

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
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Dec 8, 2005
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10,083
Re: Drive shaft alignment tool

How is it used?

You need to get an OEM service manual for that question. Although the above description of how to align an engine is pretty good, your not knowing about it indicates that you don't have one.

Depending on the year, you might be able to download one here in this forum. Go to the top of the list in this main forum.
 

IVAZ

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 6, 2009
Messages
816
Re: Drive shaft alignment tool

3) Without turning the tool, pull it straight out and look at
the depth of the teeth marks in the grease.

If the teeth marks in the grease are deep on the
top side and shallow on the bottom side of the tool then
your motor is too high.

If the marks in the grease are deeper on the bottom than
on the top then your motor is too low
.

Those two steps seem backwards?
 
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