engine alignment with old drive shaft

[marvinjansen]

Is using an old but good splined drive shaft good for alignments? I used one and to start
it would only go in the spline less than 1/2". After lowering the motor it goes in about 1 1/4" easy and a little bump to bottom out. But it is not as easy to remove as some of the utubes. Is an old shaft with splines maybe just a little tighter than a smooth shaft?

 

[meesh]

Re: engine alignment with old drive shaft

If your tight using a drive shaft your alignment is not even close. the only way to get proper alignment is with an alignment bar. Their cheap insurance. Buy one and use it every time you pull your drive.

 

[cr2k]

Re: engine alignment with old drive shaft

Even a NEW shaft will not get you real close. It is the exact tolerances you need from an alignment tool.

There is no close with an alignment tool it will be spot on. With a shaft the slightest misalignment can cause accelerated wear from the splines rubbing ever so slightly (as opposed to both turning on the same plane). The shaft is steel the coupler splines are aluminum, so you can see that any misalignment can cause major wear in a short time. Use quality SPLINE grease on reassembly.

 

[Don S]

Re: engine alignment with old drive shaft

Is using an old but good splined drive shaft good for alignments?

NO.
They work ok to veryify the alignment is ok, but not worth a dime if you have to align the engine or the gimbal bearing after replacement. You can't read the splines like you can grease marks on a real alignment bar.

 

[marvinjansen]

Re: engine alignment with old drive shaft

Ordered an alignment bar.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: engine alignment with old drive shaft

From your other post I know you just replaced your gimbal bearing. Don't forget you need to "set" your gimbal bearing by hitting the tool at 90 degree increments before doing the alignment. Otherwise you will never get it aligned.