mercruiser outdrive alignment

[MICHAEL28]

I have recently replaced the gimbal ring, bearing, bellows etc, and outdrive is new sei. Went to install outdrive today and wouldn't go on the last 1". Book says to align. I don't have the special tool so I removed the yoke from my alpha one gen 1 and tried to align. When I started I had a 1.5" gap and now I am down to 3/4" but anymore adjustment takes me out the opposite direction. I have never aligned a boat motor to gimbal bearing but I have aligned many pump to motor assemblies that require alignment .004" angular and parallel. The book doesn't say anything about adjusting the rear, is this possible? The gimbal ring is approx 4" from the coupling so if the rear mount is off then you will only get this so close. Am I way off? Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance, mike.

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser outdrive alignment

Ayuh,......

Without the Alignment Bar,....

You're working Blind....

Only the front motor mounts are Adjusted,... The Rear mounts are static...
Unless the rear mounts have Gone Bad....

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser outdrive alignment

I have recently replaced the gimbal ring, bearing, bellows etc,

When I started I had a 1.5" gap and now I am down to 3/4"

Those two comments lead me to believe you never aligned the inner race of the gimbal bearing to the coupler before you attempted any engine adjustmenst.
The inner part of the gimbal bearing moves independent of the outer race and must be aligned to the coupler, from there you can finish the alignment by adjusting the up and down of the front of the motor to get it just right.
As you work, bump the alignment bar side to side, and up and down to keep the center of the bearing aligned as you go.

 

[MICHAEL28]

Re: mercruiser outdrive alignment

Does anyone have a part number for the alignment bar for a alpha one gen one. I looked up the number that was listed in my manual and it was no good. Also does anyone have a .pdf with a step by step on using the alignment bar? thanks

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: mercruiser outdrive alignment

I too have been having an alignment issue. Had my gimbal bearing replaced last spring, pulled the drive a few days ago and found the alignment had slipped a few cm off. Is there a way to re-set the gimbal beraing hub alignment? I guess I never really knew that the center race was independantly adjustable.

PS My new bearing looks a lil tarnished like heat burning grease off. Is that normal? Thanks Logan

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser outdrive alignment

Does anyone have a part number for the alignment bar for a alpha one gen one.

Ayuh,..... They're All the Same.... Alpha,... Bravo,.... Merc,... Volvo....

My new bearing looks a lil tarnished like heat burning grease off. Is that normal?

Nope.....