sx drive instal should it slide in or need help?

[Steev-oh]

I just pulled the drive off to inspect and grease for the season.
I didn't have to replace my u-joints as they had been replaced by the previous owner. I changed the gimble to the newer greaseless style and changed the u-joint bellows I also changed the 2 o-rings on the input shaft. When I removed the drive it almost fell off on its own, but after changing all the parts i could not get the drive back on.
The alingment was okay, I could get the drive to engage on the splines by about 1.5 -2" but could not push it in any further after many frustrating hours and bruises and my legs and arms I finally thought of how CV joints are put back into a car and gave the drive a little tap and it started to go in. I have had this worry ever since that I should not have done that, I have read and read but cannot find out if I should have done that or not, I finally asked my local marine shop and they told me that sometimes they have to do the same thing. they said even though the alignment tool goes in and out it can just take a hair and it sticks on the gimble.

can anyone confirm this?? i still can't help but worry about the o-rings being damaged, but I guess I won't know until I start it

 

[Don S]

Re: sx drive instal should it slide in or need help?

There are 2 video's in the link below that you really need to watch. It explains it all.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=382029

 

[Steev-oh]

Re: sx drive instal should it slide in or need help?

I watched that video before. I had the same problem that he first discribed, I guess what I am asking is if the drive should insert with the same force as the alignment tool? probably need a little more as the input shaft has 2 o rings on it and the alignment tool doesn't.
I guess I should pull the drive off again, buy an alignment tool and go from there. I am just not sure as to how much effort it should take to put the drive back on, i have worked on many cars and I know sometimes you have to use the bolts on the bell housing to help get it in.

I have heard that when installing merc's you need to have it in gear, but I haven't heard that or read that in the manual for a penta?

Do you recomend I pull the drive off and get an alignment tool, adjust the mounts until the tool goes in and out with little effort then put the drive on?

 

[full stringer]

Re: sx drive instal should it slide in or need help?

have a helper spin the prop if you in fact removed in forward gear use lots of spline grease and keep trying youll get it

 

[Steev-oh]

Re: sx drive instal should it slide in or need help?

I ended up just pulling it off, good thing when I installed it the first time I shaved the first Oring on the gimble. I ended up taking it to the local marine shop and they used the alignment tool on it. When I got home I regreased the shaft and it slid right in with little effort at all.

If anyone else out there has the same question.
1) go on ebay and bid on the alignment tool they start at around 99 cents I won at $34.
2) line up the gimble and coupler by simply rolling around the gimble until you can engage the tool into the coupler and slide it in and out with no effort.
3) don't use a 2x4 to help it YOU CAN JUST PUSH IT BY HAND and not get bruises on you arms and legs.