Volvo Penta Engine Alignment Issues

[Mercury9]

Hello,

I'm doing my first engine alignment of a 2007 V-P 5.7 Gi married to a DPS outdrive. Prior to this, I replaced the gimbal bearing and rebuilt one of the motor mounts Because it was literally too rusty to adjust. The alignment tool feels tight going in (I definitely can't seat it with two fingers) but the "groves" in the grease are on all sides of the tool. After smoothing out the grease on the tool and trying again several times, I inserted a broom handle, which fit just very slightly loose in the splines. I noted that I could push the broom handle (without bending it) up and it would touch the top of the inside of the gimbal bearing, but it would not touch the bottom of the bearing without me applying enough force to bend it. I thought this was telling me that the engine was low, so I raised it. Then I had deep grooves on top of the alignment tool, but the broom handle didn't get any easier to touch BDC of the gimbal bearing. So next I put it back where I have even grooves in the grease on all sides of the tool, but again, I think the fit is a little tight. The tool went in and out a little easier before I replaced the gimbal bearing and rebuilt the mount. Because only one mount was rebuilt, I have no idea if it is "even" in height or level with the other mount. Is there an easy way to check this?

Also, when I seat the tool and turn it (not while trying to observe grooves in the grease) it turns, but the gimbal bearing does not turn. Is that normal? Thanks in advance.

 

[Fishhead-1]

It sounds like you only need to align the bearing to the coupler. The alignment tool alone won't center the bearing with coupler.

 

[Mercury9]

Fishead-1, thanks for the response.. The gimbal bearing appears to be fully seated all around. is that what you mean? If it's fully seated, could it still be out of alignment?

 

[Fishhead-1]

Yes that's right, even if it's fully seated it can be out of alignment. As your alignment tool is starting into the splines tap the side of the bar up down or side to side to square up the bearing then the bar will slide in. The bearing can move in its outer housing like a flanged bearing can. Hard for me to describe, check the search under aligning gimbal bearing.

 

[Mercury9]

That makes sense. Thanks!

 

[Dave-R]

The reason the bearing is called a gimbal bearing is the bearing will swivel inside itself . The plan is usually to take the alignment tool and tap up, down, and sideways before making any adjustments, then push the the alignment tool into the splines and check fit. There are some good instructions in most manuals. I think you would be wise to check into one. Also recommended is to turn the engine at 90 deg. and check fit a few times also . Dave-R