Question on stern drive re-installation

[Dunromin]

1984 3L stringer

I'm getting close to putting the sterndrive back on. In the factory manual, it recommends marking the ball gears during removal, I guess they want the balls mated up during re- installation in the same relativity they were separated. My problem is that I got this boat with the stern drive already removed, and there are no marks on the ball gears.
Am I correct in assuming this is preferable, but not critical, or am I missing something?

 

[southkogs]

Correct: preferable, but not critical.

 

[kenny nunez]

2Xs with southkogs on the ball gears. The main thing to watch is accelerated wear which can be caused by forgetting to have the drive in the full down position or distorted housings caused by striking submerged objects.

 

[Dunromin]

2Xs with southkogs on the ball gears. The main thing to watch is accelerated wear which can be caused by forgetting to have the drive in the full down position or distorted housings caused by striking submerged objects.

Got it. Thanks to both.