Alpha One installation problem

[Ffranzwa]

I have a 28' Chaparral w/twin 260's (Aplha One drives). I pulled both drives and replaced water pumps in lower units. I replaced the gimble, u-joints, and bellows on the port side. The starboard side drive slid right on (kinda), but the on the other one, I can feel the shaft teeth mesh and that's as far as she goes (about 1/2" before the bolts show through the bores in the drive holes) . In fact, when the shaft starts to slide in, it becomes "wedged" and it's hard to remove again. As the shaft is inserted into the bellows, it appears that the u-joint is not straight.
Do I need an alighment tool, or am I missing something else?
Thanks for a great forum!

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Alpha One installation problem

How was the drive to remove? I personally would not force it on, get the alignment tool and confirm it is ok first. They are all over ebay reasonably priced, and you can search for the specs in this fourm if you have access to a lathe or a machine shop. If the gimbal bearing was replaced on that side it would absolutely need to be aligned to the couple before installing the drive back on.

 

[Ffranzwa]

Re: Alpha One installation problem

Hey Eric;
Both drives came off easily, so I figured that I probably had an alighment issue going on. Kinda hacks me because I asked the guy where I bought the parts if I needed that as well and he said that I wouldn't.
So is it safe to say that every time that the drive is pulled, one should align the drive, or is the new gimble the reason that the alignment is off?
Thanks for the reply!
Thanks for the relpy

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Alpha One installation problem

Bellows themselves will not effect the alignment. A new gimbal bearing will need alignment. And will have to be done with the correct tool. I experimented with a spare drive yoke while waiting for the tool to come in. thought I had it dead on, was not even close when I used the alignment tool. They are reasonable on Ebay like 40 bucks or so.

 

[carcraze]

Re: Alpha One installation problem

Most of the recomendations I have read is that alignement should be checked every year. Good idea to pull drives check bearings, U joints, Bellows and check aligment as well.