Im installing my drive back on the boat after having the motor out. I ordered the tool to line it up but I have tried everything to try and get this tool in there and seems the motor is still off just a little bit the tool willnot go in. Looks like the back of the motor needs to move over just a little is there any side to side ajustment????? Oh and it a bravo out drive on a 502mpi. thanks guys worked on this thing for hour and getting no where. GURRRRRRRRR

Is it possibly I knocked the gimble bearing out of place a little when I pulled the drive??? I dont have a drive stand and I just pulled it off with out one and im just wondering if this could have happened? The reason I say that is because it showing the back of the engine needs to move the the side a little and theres no side to side adjustment I dont think. I do just have the studs up front for mounted and I put them as close to how they where before I pulled the engine. Thanks guys for the help.

Dont forget that the gimbal bearing is made to pivot, it may be tight, but it will pivot.

Ok I didnt know that. I will check on that I bet that will help me alot I was thinking it did not move at all. Thank you.

I usually install the alignment tool in the coupler, then give a good thud on the alignment tool up, down, left, then right. This usually lines the gimbal bearing up.

(with the palm of your hand or a rubber mallet)

YUP,

usually works for me too.

Funny story.......

It had been so long since I had done an engine on an I/O(switched to outboards when I moved to FL), I forgot about that little fact also. Was helping a friend replace stringers in his scarab, and pop the engine back in. We made templates before removing the stringers, so were pretty sure we had the engine mounts back in the right place. Had my buddy buy the parts from a local Mercury dealer(and OSO member), then when we were ready borrowed the alignment tool from same guy. I tried for 2 nights to get that thing to line up, but just couldnt get it. Said to my buddy, haul the boat over to him, return his tool, and tell him you want to pay him to do the work. He looks my budy in the eye, and says "Tell Rick to get his head out of his azz, and pivot the gimbal bearing" Buddy calls me and tells me this, I bang my head against the wall, and went back to the shop that night, had it aligned in 15 minutes.

Thats funny,

Had a friend struggling with his, went over to help him, when he went around the corner to get something, I did this quickly and when he came back I said got it for you. He couldn't figure out how I lined it up so quick.

Cool guys thanks for the replies. Im about to go and try that I was so mad about midnight last night I had to leave the shop and go home lol I could not get it to work for the life of me. I bet it goes right in lol. So just put the alignment tool in the gimble bearing and move it up and down left and right with a light bump before pushing it in the splines so the bearing getting centered in the housing?? Again thanks for all the help guy.

Put it thru the gimbal bearing, and as far as it will go in without forcing it, hold the tool in with one hand and light pressure, tap the farthest point of the tool from the transom with a fist, or rubber hammer up, down, right and left, until it pops in. This may work first time, but then again, you could possible still be out of alignment after trying everything last night. If the bearing doesnt seem like it is moving, pull the tool out a bit, and try again, you should feel the bearing move a good amount in its race in all directions. I actually mark my tool before removing the engine, so I know for sure when I put it back in that it is fully seated.