Alignment tool

further

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Jun 18, 2009
Messages
1,034
Hey guys, need to get me an alignment tool. Which is recommended? There's a couple on eBay that are advertised for merc's and volvo's for about $30 but not sure if they're the right ones?
thanks in advance!
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
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71,308
Re: Alignment tool

Ayuh,.... There's only one size alignment bar, the spec's are in Don'S Adults Only section,....
 

scutty

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Sep 30, 2013
Messages
39
Re: Alignment tool

The merc and VP tools are the same. I got one from Heartland Products on Amazon for about <$40.
 

Augoose

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Mar 21, 2010
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Re: Alignment tool

That's the one I have - works fine.
 

bajaunderground

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Last edited:

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,620
Re: Alignment tool

Inspect the splines on the shaft for visible wear, generally if the splines
are worn then the coupler is also worn. If wear is evident replace the parts
as needed.


NEVER Force the alignment tool in, you can damage the tool and the coupler.

NOTE: If you find the tool will not slide into the gimbal simply remove the
black coating on the largest step with fine sand paper.


1) Once you have the engine height close enough to
fully insert the tool without force, then you can start
working on setting the proper alignment.

Take your time, getting it close enough to insert the
tool the first time can sometimes be the hardest (most
frustrating) part.

2) Coat the end section of the tool (the smallest diameter
area) with a light coat of grease and then insert it fully
into the coupler.

3) Without turning the tool, pull it straight out and look at
the depth of the teeth marks in the grease.

If the teeth marks in the grease are deep on the
top side and shallow on the bottom side of the tool then
your motor is too high.

If the marks in the grease are deeper on the bottom than
on the top then your motor is too low.

4) Adjust the engine height accordingly.

5) Keep checking the depth of the marks in the grease until
they are equal in depth on top and bottom.

Sometimes as little as 1/8th of a turn on the adjusting nut can be the
difference between being properly aligned, and just having it "close"

Lightly Grease the splines on the shaft (and on the coupler if you can) with
Spline grease prior to assembly.
 

further

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Jun 18, 2009
Messages
1,034
Re: Alignment tool

Excellent explanation as always Bruce... Thanks!
 

dizzy1

Seaman
Joined
Aug 6, 2009
Messages
69
Re: Alignment tool

What if the teeth mark on the alignment bar are on the right side? Light to none on the top or bottom, but heavy marks on the right side. Not sure how to align left to right, seems everything i find online is for up/down adjustment.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,308
Re: Alignment tool

What if the teeth mark on the alignment bar are on the right side? Light to none on the top or bottom, but heavy marks on the right side. Not sure how to align left to right, seems everything i find online is for up/down adjustment.

Ayuh,... loosen the lag bolts, 'n shake the motor over,...
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,620
Re: Alignment tool

What if the teeth mark on the alignment bar are on the right side? Light to none on the top or bottom, but heavy marks on the right side. Not sure how to align left to right, seems everything i find online is for up/down adjustment.
The motor sits on rear motor mounts that are part of the transom assembly so in theory there should never be left/right offset. These mounts do have rubber bushings so in order to get the motor sitting in the center, what Bondo described may be necessary. I have never seen this issue though.
 
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