Removed XR drive, trying to install Imco SC drive. Drive will not go on last 1 inch. The drive shaft engages with coupler about 1.inch.

The alignment rod slides in/out nicely. Grease pattern looks good. Does this eliminate cause being soft transom? I've tried removing O-rings, same results. I'm Assuming coupler is ok, the XR came off a little tough but I've seen worse. Splines on Imco are straight. Did replace one u-joint (Merc part) and that looks fine.
I'm stumped.

Thoughts?












worse. The Imco drive splines are straight.

Are you 100% certain the gimbal bearing is 100% seated?

yes, gimbal bearing wasn't touched other than alignment tool.

We had same problem R&R'ing an Imco SCX drive off the Imco TA. Very touchy and has to be perfectly in line and straight to go that last amount. When the drive was removed last week, it pulled the bellows ring out with the drive. It was still on the drive ahead of the u-joint assembly. It just barely slid over the U-joint yoke to remove. Not alot of clearance for the drive shaft yoke to fit thru that bellows ring.


Edit....... reinstalled the Imco SCX drive today. Same condition, 1" to go and was a bear. Found that if we pivoted the bell housing high enough to put a broom handle between it and the gimble ring so the drive was 'trimmed' up high, it slid right on. Trying to put it on level wasnt working. Bell housing would just pivot down, binding up on the drive.