Yes. You can use a large C clamp and a socket, or like I did, a small bench press to get them in & out.

also something else that I found a little concerning. The drive is a 1.50 : 1 ratio. to me it seems like the backlash is a little much. I could rotate the u-joint 15 deg before the prop shaft would turn. Does that sound like excessive backlash? The drive was brand new in 2006 and has never been apart and has 237 hours on it.

where's Mr Gadgets when we need him .......:drink:

If the alpha drive uses dog clutches ( and I believe they do), that is normal. The bravo drive will turn only in one direction at a time (depending on the shift direction).

I only work on bravos, but anytime you check lash you need to do it internally.
When turning the inputshaft how does it feel?
If the joints feel good, the problem may be internal.
You can spin the drive with a drill, if you are careful.

here is an update: I got the gimbal alignment tool and put it in with the old gimbal bearing still in and the tool has to be worked into the coupler, and when it is lined up the alignment tool is hard to turn. I have purchased new u-joints, gimbal bearing and I am going to inspect the top gear set just to make sure. I should have everything back together by the weekend and will test it out.

I just noticed in your sig that you say you have a twin turbo 377. Is that what's in front of your Alpha drive? If so, we may all have been chasing the wrong problem. An Alpha drive just won't handle much over 350 HP reliably. Heck the old 454/ 330 Alpha combination back in 1987 grenaded just about every single one of them. So, if you really have a twin turbo small block in front of an Alpha, let's see what your drive lube looks like. My guess, it'll look like Never Sieze. That's a different problem.

Sorry about the confusion Too Stroked. The engine and drive I am referring to is a 2006 Magnum 350 MPI / alpha gen II in a 1974 18' Formula.

Whew! Now I feel better!