Stellings standoff box alignment
 

Anyone have any tips as to what is the best way to align
the gimbal bearing with the splines so the bravo drive
sides in easy?

Doesn't Stellings sell an extra long alignment tool?

Check their web site.

I might be thinking of another make:(

I have a long alignment tool but I need to know how to adjust it. The gimble housing cant move enough.

You do not need a long alignment tool for the Stellings box. There are actually two places their system is aligned too. One is the main carrier bearing. The second is at the transom assembly. The main bearing would have some large parallel ground washers under it. Usually people don't realize the bearing actually has an alignment, take it apart and mix up the shims. Good luck getting it to align. I actually had to send my box back to Stellings for realignment. After that you make the final alignment with the transom assembly. Leave the bolts a little loose and just slide it around until things work out.

Thanks Cord
I tried to loosen the bolts holding the bearing carrier but when I turn them it does not feel right do you know
if the nut on the bottom is a lock nut and the box is threaded or is it a thru hole?
Ed

The bolt passes through the hole. Unless you know that the center bearing is messed up, try to align with the gimble.

Its not off much but it does bind up and it is hard to get the drive on and off. The other drive is perfect. I did break a gear last year in the drive on the side i am having problems with and don't know if this may of had
anything to do with it.
Ed

loosed the bolts that holds the carrier(I think its red). install alignment tool. add or subtract shim or washers until you get the alignment shaft to slide in easy. Valve spring shims work just fine. Good luck! Steve

I will try it this weekend. and let you know.
Thanks everyone

Did anyone figure this out yet?

I just had my Stellings boxes off for re-finishing. I marked the spacers and carrier struts on removal.

The Merc alignment tool does not fit into the spline reciever.

There is a little play in the mounting holes, so the gimbal housing can be moved up/down slightly on the Stellings box to align the gimbal bearing with the spline reciever.

Haven't put the drives back on yet, but was going to check with Stellings on alignment procedure.

Let me know what Stelling says. I just had a drive shaft u-joint break and it took out the carrier:eek: so I need to align the new carrier.

When I assembled my bravo 1 extension box I noticed that there was a lot of clearance between the transom assembly studs and the mounting holes in the box so I made two bushings,one top left stud and bottom right.The purpose of the bushings was to ensure repeatability when taking the T.A. on and off .Then I made an assortment of shims (.002" to.125") to go under the bearing and repeatedly assembled the bearing adding shims,tightening bolts etc, until I could insert my alignment tool .I then added another .005 shim to confirm that I was on the right track. I removed the last .005 shim then took all the shims out ,measured each side respectively and made one solid shim for each side.I was pleased that months later when I bolted it all back together ,including re-installing the Transom assy. and everthing slid right together.Keep in mind this this is a fit and try process that took several attempts to achieve the correct shim height.

Sorry for the novel

Rob

Stellings technical "thought" the Merc alignment tool should fit the carrier flange, but mine do not and there is no evidence of abnormal wear on the spline teeth. Another respected OSO member and I believe Merc certified tech staated his experience was aslo the alignment tool did not fit.

Stellings tech suggested I just try hanging my drives, or I may see if I can find a spare spline/yoke shaft tomarrow to check the alignment with.

The carrier seems to be in the same location as where the motor would be if there was no box! Is your alignment tool short or long? Is the tool part no. 91-805475A-1

Red,
I found on mine that you have to pound the alignment tool into the splines to remove the "points" off the splines. Call Craig Kennedy at Pier 75 and he can explain it better than I can. What year were your boxes? If they are mid to late 90's, you may find that you will also have to follow the re-shim process that was described in this thread. The one where you have to make new custom shims.

Sprague,

There are no points on my "flange" (as Stellings tech referred to it). Faces of the splines are flat without abnormal wear or pointing. Boxes are '99 or more likely '98 production.

They are visually very close, they can probably be dialed in with a spare yoke shaft if I can find one.

I know Craig. He has been on my boat. I'll get his opinion tomarrow.

Thanks,

Chris

Standard Merc alignment tool. Does not fit into the flange even when flange is not mounted in the box.

IMCO

If you want, you can borrow my alignment tool ( or bring a bearing/flange assy. to check the fit)
P.M. me with your phone # and we can check it out this evening after work.

Rob

Are you using the standard tool?

Found a spine shaft today, drops right in to the flange smooth as butter .

Guys,

My comment above about the Merc tool not fitting the flange is INCORRECT. On closer inspection, I did find some slight flaring of the teeth on the flange. 5 minutes with a file and the Merc tool fit right in.

rws ... thanks for the use of your alignment tool. I'll have it back to you soon now!

Chris