Cant get my out drive back on

[scatgo]

Alpha One going onto a 1980 boat with a GM 305. Just would no make the last 3/4 of a inch going into the transom. Made sure the gear shifter was in forward on the boat and OD. Made sure the shifter cable thing was going into the OD right. Did a little hammering with a block of wood but no good. It would not come out easy ether when we mad a few attempts at getting it on. I did make sure the new gimble bearing went onto the drive shaft before I put the new bearing in. I just cant see it being a engine alignment problem with the new bearing but I am at a loss.

Thanks for any suggestions.
Chris

 

[thumpar]

Did you check the alignment?

 

[Watermann]

Scat did you use the alignment tool first? Just putting in the new bearing doesn't even come close to making it aligned with the coupler. The last 3/4", are you sure the shift shoe is lined up with the lever on the bell housing, it sounds like it's turned to the side. Get underneath and take a look up at it to see if they are aligned properly. It can be a royal pain sometimes to get that "OD shifter thing" to stay put.

 

[BF]

I went through this when I first got my boat... when you replace the gimbal bearing you need to "set" it once it's installed. The "alignment tool" is what you'd normally use, but I made one by turning a piece of steel pipe down (on a milling machine) to the spec's that I found here on the boards... if it's aligned right, the tool / pipe should be able to is pushed easily into the coupler. You can make a sort of circular motion that will make sure that the inner portion of the gimbal bearing is not askew at all. If needed, then you can adjust the motor mounts to adjust the alignment of the coupler. When it's aligned properly and the pipe/alignment tool is centered, you should be able to slide the drive in easily.. I'm able to do it solo by adjusting the tongue of my trailer so that if I put the skeg on a piece of plywood, the height of the transom is correct to just slide the drive shaft in... if it won't go, turn the splines a tad and try again. If you're getting to within 3/4" then maybe the splines are aligned OK, but you haven't aligned the shifter tab correctly ? (look from the underside). Make sure the U joints are not sagging down into the bellows and catching you up there...

Good luck... I hope this helps....

I see the other guys are faster posters than I am... but we're all thinking along the same lines!

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

The inner gimbal bearing is not fixed, it moves. You have to insert the alignment tool thru the gimbal bearing and align it to the coupler bolted to the back of the engine. If not the coupler will be destroyed in short time and you'll have to pull the engine to replace it.

Here is a good read (with some links to videos at the end) on it from the Adults Only sticky at the beginning of this forum:

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...es-outdrives/455000-engine-alignment-how-to-s

 

[ktbarrentine]

After ensuring the gimbal bearing is aligned with the alignment tool (as has been recommended), ensure you dont have too much grease on the two shaft o-rings that seat in the gimbal bearing. Too much lubricant will cause the O-rings to hydraulically "lock" during the last 3/4 inch of travel. Just a very light smear of oil on the o-rings is all that is needed. And then maybe a swift "kick" with a size fifteen boot.... Works for me (called the merckick technique)

 

[scatgo]

Dam gimbal bearing was out of wack. Took the drive shaft off the out drive removed all o rings and used it as a alignment tool. Worked great. Just got to make sure you dont get it stuck like I did. Can be a little bit of a PITA to get it out. I got a 3 ft section of 1 inch pluming pipe and it fit the gimbal bearing ID PERFECT! The pipe mad it a breeze to ajust the bearing. No more need to make or buy special tools!

 

[scatgo]

And thanks for all the help.

Chris

 

[stonyloam]

Dam gimbal bearing was out of wack. Took the drive shaft off the out drive removed all o rings and used it as a alignment tool. Worked great. Just got to make sure you dont get it stuck like I did. Can be a little bit of a PITA to get it out. I got a 3 ft section of 1 inch pluming pipe and it fit the gimbal bearing ID PERFECT! The pipe mad it a breeze to ajust the bearing. No more need to make or buy special tools!

You may have adjusted the bearing, and gotten the shaft to go in, but you have NOT aligned the engine, you need the tool for that.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

You may have adjusted the bearing, and gotten the shaft to go in, but you have NOT aligned the engine, you need the tool for that.

X 2 what He said . The clearances on the alignment tool are MUCH tighter than the driveshaft. When you do it after, with the correct tool, you still will be off... guaranteed.

Here they are for sale on Ebay... under 30 bucks
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...+tool&_nkw=mercruiser+alignment+tool&_sacat=0

 

[thumpar]

Yep, Still needs to be aligned. I bought the tool from Hartland on the link above.

 

[scatgo]

The engine was good to the old bearing so dont you think it would still be ok?

 

[airshot]

Nope.....needs to be checked each year at a minimum !! Now if you have deep pockets and wish to pull the engine and replace couplers every so often then be our guest. Alignment tools are quite cheap, mine was shipped to my door for less than 20 bucks. Very reasonable when compared to the cost of a coupler and is not difficult to use. Anytime you replace something or just pull the OD, check the alignment before reassembly or........pay at this window some where down the road.

 

[scatgo]

Thanks people.