Okay, this will open up a can of worms....but..
what is the correct way to use the alignment tool to make sure eveything is done correctly. Some say put grease on the splines and observe the pattern left in the spline of the input shaft. I know that it should slide in with no restrictions or binding.
Any suggestions????
Sheikman

shiekman, please be more specific. what engine and propulsion do you have. Outdrives,Inboards,V drives? There are many different ways of doing it. If you have I/O there is a tool for alignment that slides into gimble from back of transom. Youll need some help to do this. But post what you have then we can help. MFB

Sorry for the lack of info...
The unit is a stern drive, Bravo,
540 ci, hull is a Formula

Like I previously stated, I have the tool just don't know the correct procedure to use it.

Thanks
Sheikman

The use of grease is hte best way i have found to do it. It lets you see where the coupler is rubbing the hardest. You should be able to slide the bar in and out with two fingers easily. If not you need to adjust engine mounts. It's not as hard as many people think it just takes time to get used to the feel that your looking for. You may have to put the bar in and hit it from all four sides to aglin the gimbal bearing befor you start to align your engine.
Hope i helped you out.

If this is a new install just check the grease and it should pull in and out with two fingers. Be sure to check it at 4 places, 90 out. If you are re-aligning an older coupler be sure the coupler is not worn out. You need to get it right and then rotate the coupler 90 degrees and check it again all the way around. If your coupler is worn then it will be good in one position and not another.
Tim T.

As merc575 stated, it isn't a hard thing to do once you get the feel for it. I feel the hardest part to get right is to get the gimbal bearing where you want it to be. Some guys don't realize that the center ball in the gimbal swivels in all directionals.

MERC575 Do you mean to force the end of the tool into the splines of the coupler, then give the end of the tool a whack in all four direction to align the gimbal bearing?

BT

I agree with Merc575"s process. I've done it that exact way more times lately than I care to count. Also I'd use a dead blow hammer to hit from four directions. So you don't tear up that $55 tool.
Eric

If you are installing the motor, first I run the adjusting nuts on the front mounts all the way down. Next, I lower the motor onto the mounts enough to secure the rear mounts and then continuing to lower onto the front mounts at the same time I am (or a helper) has inserted the alignment tool. I continue to lower until the tool slides in and seats all the way with out much resistance.
Then bring the lower adjusting nuts up evenly until they are supporting the motor. take the weight of the hoist and double check.
This method works great, and doesn't take you all day!
TomR