How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

[04fxdwgi]

I had been debating on getting the alignment and driver tool sets for Mercruiser gimbals for a while now. Finally pulled the trigger and bought the 6 tool set from a vendor off fleabay and am totally impressed with this set. Will make life soooooooooooooooooo much easier when doing my regular gimbal maintenance / repairs, from this point forward. Only downside I see is keeping track of the parts as they are lent to friends that find out I have these tools.In the past, I always "made do" with what I had and improvised to overcome the lacking of having the tools on hand, such as using the drive unit itself to verify if the engine alignment was good, or fighting using the old bearing to seat the the new gimbal bearing, or wrestling with the bellows to get it right. With the tools in hand, I now see how much easier these tasks will be having the tools. Should have done this years ago........ Dumb S**t. I mispelled actually in the header and can't change it....

 

[badbowtie]

Re: How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

I do have the alingment tool and and two drivers one for gimbel bearing and I can't remeber what the other one does but It makes it really nice to do the maintance. I have a couple close friends with boats they are the only ones that no I have it. I store one of there boats at my house and do all the work on it anyway so no big deal.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

I have it and NO one likes my loaner policy.
$100 non-refundable deposit.J

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

I do have the alingment tool and and two drivers one for gimbel bearing and I can't remeber what the other one does but It makes it really nice to do the maintance. I have a couple close friends with boats they are the only ones that no I have it. I store one of there boats at my house and do all the work on it anyway so no big deal.

The second one is for the Bravo bellows retaining ring or the forward seal, probably. Mine came with the bar, all 3 drivers, the bellows expander and the hinge pin tool.

 

[Bondo]

Re: How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

Ayuh,.... I've got an plain ole alignment bar I've had for years,... Loaned it a few times, 'n luckily, it came home...
Gotta try that C-note deposit idea....

Gimbel bearing driver, my Bud, Bobby's already built, so I use his, til I get 'round to throwin' 1 together....

Don taught me the Mercury Power-Tune trick for the metal retaining rings for the bellows...
1 squirt, 'n push it in by hand....

For hinge pins, an ole craftsman 1/2" allen driver, 3/8 drive works Just Fine...

 

[tpenfield]

Re: How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

I borrowed one (alignment tool) a few years ago, then bought my own last year. I also have the gimbal bearing puller/installer tools.

It is nice to be able to borrow tools from buddies, colleagues and forum members that are close by . . . it takes a bit of the cost 'bite' out of boat maintenance projects.

 

[Friscoboater]

I have one too. Well worth the money.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

Ayuh,.... I've got an plain ole alignment bar I've had for years,... Loaned it a few times, 'n luckily, it came home...
Gotta try that C-note deposit idea....

Gimbel bearing driver, my Bud, Bobby's already built, so I use his, til I get 'round to throwin' 1 together....

Don taught me the Mercury Power-Tune trick for the metal retaining rings for the bellows...
1 squirt, 'n push it in by hand....

For hinge pins, an ole craftsman 1/2" allen driver, 3/8 drive works Just Fine...

There ya go Bond-o, bustin my bubble again. I was all excited about being up with the times and shedding some of the "shade tree mechanic" moniker and following in the footsteps of "Tim the Toolman". I only wish this tool set was made by Binford. Thanx pal......

Never heard about the Power-Tune trick. Could you enlighten us folk? I am skeptical about spraying anything in there that contacts the bellows and maybe giving it a shortened life or popping out if it goes in that easily. Argh....

I had to remove a pin on a friends drive, and like you, always used the Allen driver, but twisted up 2 of them on his drive pin, so I bought the tool. Watch it break 1st time out. HAHAHA.

You are right, the "C" note trick would probably keep tools from ever leaving the garage, but wife is friends of with wives of my friends and can see some "back room deals" happening there. :facepalm:

 

[Bondo]

Re: How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

Never heard about the Power-Tune trick. Could you enlighten us folk? I am skeptical about spraying anything in there that contacts the bellows and maybe giving it a shortened life or popping out if it goes in that easily. Argh....

I had to remove a pin on a friends drive, and like you, always used the Allen driver, but twisted up 2 of them on his drive pin, so I bought the tool. Watch it break 1st time out. HAHAHA.

Ayuh,.... The Mercury Power Tune evaporates within a few seconds of bein' shot onto the bellows,...
You only have to push the ring in, 'n hold it, literally, for a few Seconds...
Pm Don, 'n maybe He'll stop by, 'n verify the story...

I believe the Problem with folks bustin' their hinge pin tools is because they don't Heat the pin, to soften the Loc-tite holdin' 'em in-place....

I'm a Tim Taylor with tools, 'cept, I build alota Bondized Tools, to heck with Binford......

 

[dan t.]

Re: How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

Built all my own,or had something that would work.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

I have the alignment bar, gimbal driver, hinge pin tool, and bellows expander. Used all of them more than a few times.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

I just happened to throw this video together...

Just one rookies thoughts on the special tools.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

I just happened to throw this video together...

Just one rookies thoughts on the special tools.

I love the label on your grease tube. Was it a special purchase?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

I love the label on your grease tube. Was it a special purchase?

 

[Bondo]

Re: How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

I love the label on your grease tube. Was it a special purchase?

Ayuh,.... I didn't even see it,... Good eyes....

Jason,... I'm Lovin' it....

Right up there with Don's grease bucket,.....

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

I love the label on the grease tube! Where can i get that grease Bondo?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

Yah Jay, "Ayah Any Grease" is far and away my favorite grease!

Soooooooo much better than that "No Grease".

 

[aquanoob]

Re: How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

For you guys that own a alingment tool... What is the total length? I can have one made and just need the last measurement!

Thanks!

 

[Fishermark]

Re: How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

aquanoob - welcome aboard!

You can find the dimensions to make your own tool in the special section for DIY's at the top of the page.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: How many actaully own Mercruiser drive alignment tools?

But here's the picture with the info from the page anyway.