Alignment Tool Depth

[MercMonster]

Having problems with aligning the drive. The tool shows even marks all around but seems to "bottom out" way short of where I figured it would. Should the tool at least go to the first depth gauge on the tool? The grease is where it is in the picture because that's as far as the tool goes in. I had the whole first depth mark greased before thinking it would bottom out there. But this is all of the tool I can get into the splines. Also tried adjusting the height of the engine and moving the gimbal bearing around w/ the tool - 4 hours. (this is the same drive with the same coupler, but different engine)

 

[Don S]

Re: Alignment Tool Depth

The full section you have the arrow on should go into the coupler. if not, either the engine is out of alignment or the the gimbal bearing is.
Put the alignment bar all the way in as far as it will go, tap the bar up, down , side to side with a rubber mallet (Tap, don't beat it to death)
This will center the gimbal bearing. If it still won't go in, then you need to adjust the engine up or down.

 

[MercMonster]

Re: Alignment Tool Depth

Thanks Don, I'll work on it more tomorrow. Have a full day to get it aligned. Hope it doesn't take that long

 

[MercMonster]

Re: Alignment Tool Depth

I finally got the alignment tool to go fully in. It only took 7 hours of jumping in and out of the boat to get her this close. The engine was off I guess because before PO didn't have the fiber & double lock washers installed on the mounts. They were ordered and are there now. I have the grease marks pretty centered all of the way around the tool and the tool slides in and out with just a hair of resistance. Does a little resistance sound normal? Is the drive ready to be installed now or should I try micro-adjusting some more?

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Alignment Tool Depth

Does a little resistance sound normal? Is the drive ready to be installed now or should I try micro-adjusting some more?

Sounds good to me if you rotated the engine, 90 deg's at a time, and got the same resistance at each position. I believe they say that you should be able to insert the tool with only two fingers on it.

........but being new to the overly complex black anchors, you should wait til one of the knowledgable pros chimes in.

Even with the 'new' lock washers, I would be inclined to check it again after a few outings. There are other things, than the 'lock washers', that could be the cause of misalignment and it sounds like yours was signifigant.

 

[Don S]

Re: Alignment Tool Depth

Boomers right, you will feel some resistance but you shouldn't have to use a tight grip to pull the bar out, but it may take more than 2 fingers.