Alignment help

further

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Need some help on whether the alignment is correct on this. Seems a bit tight and hard to spin. Thought it should spin very freely. Video link attached. Splines appear even all the way around. Could it be gimbal bearing that’s making it tight? When I try to spin just the bearing with my fingers, it doesn’t spin as freely as I would think a bearing should.

https://youtu.be/M5VwYW1Vjxc
 

alldodge

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While your real close your not there, it just takes to much to pull out

The two pics show top and bottom of shaft as it was rotated. The marks are clean but not even. Your probably a tad high, and on one side more then the other

al1.jpgal2.jpg
 

further

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Hmm ok will play with it. I kept seeing the marks less on the left port side of the bar. Does that mean I should lower the starboard side more?
 

alldodge

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Its a tough call, only thing I found which clears it up is another special tool. Not always but in most cases, what you think is happening, is actually the opposite, but not always. Mainly talking about how I see things, this is why I really like my new tool
 

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Its a tough call, only thing I found which clears it up is another special tool. Not always but in most cases, what you think is happening, is actually the opposite, but not always. Mainly talking about how I see things, this is why I really like my new tool

What do you mean? Another alignment tool? Sorry not following.
 

further

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Hmm ughhhh another tool lol. Where do I find me one of those?? Not coming up with anything useful on google, eBay etc.
 

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Thanks for the info. Called my local parts place and they're able to get one tomorrow so will try it. Just to confirm, this will work on volvo's even though its specific to bravo and alpha drives? Also trying to understand how this works (guess I'll see when i try it) but i'm assuming you slide this onto the alignment bar and the smaller part goes up against the gimbal bearing? then I'll see gaps in whatever direction I need to move the engine?
 

alldodge

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Oh crap, didn't think about VP even looking at the vid. No don't see this helping with a VP. This engages the bell housing on a Merc, and yours isn't there.
 

further

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Oh crap, didn't think about VP even looking at the vid. No don't see this helping with a VP. This engages the bell housing on a Merc, and yours isn't there.

Ughh ok. Any other pointers to get this closer? Amazing Volvo doesn’t have something that’s more accurate than grease marks....
 

alldodge

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Hope you didn't buy it, but if you did I'll buy it off you because it would have been my fault.

Did notice the VP SX (Cobra) bell housing uses similar entry housing. Only reason the unit may not work is there doesn't appear to be much distance on the bottom for the lip of the tool to rest against the flat surface. The flat surface of the bell housing is how you tell which way to go. Best to disconnect steering yoke arm so the bell housing centers(left/right), but can be done with out pulling pin
 

further

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Hope you didn't buy it, but if you did I'll buy it off you because it would have been my fault.

Did notice the VP SX (Cobra) bell housing uses similar entry housing. Only reason the unit may not work is there doesn't appear to be much distance on the bottom for the lip of the tool to rest against the flat surface. The flat surface of the bell housing is how you tell which way to go. Best to disconnect steering yoke arm so the bell housing centers(left/right), but can be done with out pulling pin

I did order it but just called my parts guy to cancel it. He was a bit pissed but no big deal, so all good. Guess I'll just play with the grease marks and make little adjustments as best I can... Wish it was more apparent than it is....
Thanks for the advice.
 

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So turns out it was out by alot (at least I think its alot). Really wish there was a more definitive way to do this. Ended up having to raise the motor about 6 full turns. Bar slides in and out nice and easy now and spline marks even all the way around. When I spin the bar, I can do it with just two fingers but still have some resistance... Guess that's the way it supposed to be? Thought it would spin easier than it does...
 
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