True Newbie Question

[thisuldoit]

I am going to remove my sterndrive to inspect the bellows and what not, however, how do I use the alignment tool to get the drive back on? It seems like everyone, including my manual, just assumes that you know how to use it, but my luck, I will screw something up.

Thanks for the help!

 

[JustJason]

Re: True Newbie Question

uhmmmm what do you have??? merc, omc, vp??? you can usually just get your hand up in there with a flashlight to inspect, no need to really remove the drive unless your suspecting something and need to confirm it.
helps to have a handy dandy pair of mechanics stethoscope to give the bearing a listen. But you could also just put a screwdriver to the outer transom plate and put your ear on it.

 

[thisuldoit]

Re: True Newbie Question

I'm sorry. I know better than that on giving my information.

I have a 1989 Mercruiser 175 hp, 262 CID, Alpha One Drive, 4.3L setup. I am going to attempt DonS winterization procedure, and he recommends removing the drive.

 

[thrasher]

Re: True Newbie Question

My alignement tool has three steps on one end (3 different diameters), you simply slide the alignement tool through the Gimbal bearing until the the third shoulder butts upto the gimball bearing. If you cannot push the alignement tool in that far, then it means you need to align the motor.
I pushed the alignement tool in as far as it would go and then pulled it out, if I could see grease on the top of the alignement tool, it indicates that the motor needs raising, and if the grease was on the bottom of the tool then the motor need lowering. I had my wife hold the tool and I then raised/lowered the engine a little bit and had her push the tool until it slides all the way in with very little effort. Then I locked of the engine adjuster nuts and the job was done.. It took 15 minutes at most..

Hope that helps.

Gary

 

[thisuldoit]

Re: True Newbie Question

So you use the alignment tool to make sure that the engine is at the correct height to match with the stern drive.

You don't actualy slide the stern drive over the alignment tool to make sure the gears in the sterndrive are in line with the engine?

 

[thrasher]

Re: True Newbie Question

Correct, the alignement tool is just to check the gimbal bearing to engine alignement.. When you try to slide the outdrive back on, chances are the splines on the drive shaft will not line up, so put the drive in gear (It should have been put in Forward when you removed the drive) and you can then turn the propellor (in one direction) and that will rotate the drive shaft and allow you to get the drive shaft to slide on. Be aware that when the O rings on the drive shaft try to slide through the gimbal bearing, you might need to give the outdrive a small tap to get the o-ring to pass through the bearing. You don't need to use much force, so don't take a hammer to it, but it might need a firm tap with your hand. As the drive slides on, keep a close eye that the gear selector is engaging correctly.

Gary

 

[JustJason]

Re: True Newbie Question

yeah... if you have to give it the "mercury kick" to go on.... then recheck your alignment.

 

[thisuldoit]

Re: True Newbie Question

Thank you for the great advice.

Have a great day!!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: True Newbie Question

Ayuh,..........

And...
A Bungee strap wrapped around the Propshaft,+ attached to the Cav-plate will keep Tension on everything,+ Hold the drive in Forward for you......

'cause Without Tension,......... It'll slip into Neutral......

 

[180shabah]

Re: True Newbie Question

yeah... if you have to give it the "mercury kick" to go on.... then recheck your alignment.

Or put a little oil on the o-rings.

 

[JustJason]

Re: True Newbie Question

Or put a little oil on the o-rings.

really you should be greasing the whole shaft, o-rings and all with spline coupler grease.

 

[thrasher]

Re: True Newbie Question

Even with grease, I find it still needs a little kick to get the O'rings to pass the Gimball bearing.

 

[JustJason]

Re: True Newbie Question

if you are then the alignment is close.... but not perfect. it should slide in smooth as butter

 

[mikey.himself]

Re: True Newbie Question

How do you go about aligning the ENGINE?

 

[180shabah]

Re: True Newbie Question

How do you go about aligning the ENGINE?

See above and below

My alignement tool has three steps on one end (3 different diameters), you simply slide the alignement tool through the Gimbal bearing until the the third shoulder butts upto the gimball bearing. If you cannot push the alignement tool in that far, then it means you need to align the motor.
I pushed the alignement tool in as far as it would go and then pulled it out, if I could see grease on the top of the alignement tool, it indicates that the motor needs raising, and if the grease was on the bottom of the tool then the motor need lowering. I had my wife hold the tool and I then raised/lowered the engine a little bit and had her push the tool until it slides all the way in with very little effort. Then I locked of the engine adjuster nuts and the job was done.. It took 15 minutes at most..

Hope that helps.

Gary