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Check Your Engine Alignment

Mercruiser engines must be properly aligned or the Drive Coupler will be damaged.
The drive is attached to the engine through the use of a drive coupler. This coupler is bolted to the engines flywheel or crankshaft. The male splined driveshaft yoke from the outdrive slides into the female splines of the drive coupler. The position of the engine must be just right to allow the shaft to fit the coupler properly.

Proper alignment is achieved by adjusting the motor mounts.
The mounts allow the engine to be lowered or raised.
The position of the engine tends to change with time.
Stringers settle and mounts get soft and sag.
If the motor drops out of alignment damage can occur to the drive coupler.
When a coupler fails, the boat will have little or no propulsion.
Replacing a bad coupler requires removal of the drive and engine.

Coupler failure can be reduced or eliminated by checking and adjusting the engine alignment on a regular basis.
Checking the alignment requires removal of the sterndrive unit.
A special Alignment Tool is slid into the drive coupler from behind and the tool must insert and turn easily. If the tool is too tight or can not be easily fully inserted into the coupler splines, the engine mounts must be adjusted until it will.

The alignment must be checked with the engine rotated in 90 degree increments. This is to insure that the coupler is "true" and won't wobble.

It is standard policy to check the engine alignment whenever the drive is removed.
The drive should be removed at least once each season to allow for an inspection of the gimbal bearing, bellows, shift cable and alignment. It also provides an opportunity to properly grease the driveshaft yoke splines and cross bearings.

Click HERE for new Drive Couplers.

Engine Alignment

Sterndrive-Information
Change your Alpha Gear Lube
Change your Bravo Gear Lube
Why does my drive lube have white streaks?
Why does my drive lube have gray mush?
Replace Your Alpha One Water Pump
Replace your Alpha Gen II Water Pump
Rebuild your Bravo Raw Water Pump

Troubleshoot & Replace your Alpha Shift Cable
Troubleshoot & Replace your Bravo Shift Cable

Replace your Alpha One Bellows & Gimbal Bearing
Replace your Alpha Gen II Bellows & Gimbal bearing
Replace your Bravo Bellows & Gimbal Bearing
Why does my drive "Growl" when I turn?
Water is leaking into my boat from the transom

Replacing your Trim Sender Switches
My Trim doesn't work but my Trailer Switch does
My Trim Gauge is Pegged

Rebuild your Alpha One Upper Driveshaft Housing Assembly
Rebuild your Alpha One Lower Gear Housing Assembly

Check your Engine Alignment
Check for Excessive Steering Play
Troubleshoot an Overheating Problem
Should I remove my thermostat?
Why do I overheat when going fast?
Troubleshoot a No-Crank Condition
Troubleshoot a No-Start Condition
My Engine Backfires and/or Surges and has Lack of Power
What is an Anti-Syphon Valve?
My Engine blows Steam from the Exhaust
Why do I hear a "clakity" sound while at idle?
Exhaust Manifolds...IMPORTANT Information
How do I Winterize my engine?

What is Galvanic Corrosion?
I have a Bravo III Galvanic Corrosion Problem
What is a Mercathode?
All about Zinc Anodes
How do I check my carburetor?
What carburetor do I have? A Rochester or a Mercarb?
I have water in my fuel
My fuel smells like varnish
My fuel is old
My engine has been sitting for several months without being run.

I have a Mercruiser 470, 485, 488, 190, 3.7L Engine
I have coolant dripping from the front of my engine
Can I install a regular Alternator instead of the Stator-Rotor?

Converting an OMC to a Mercruiser


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