Alignment Tool for DIYers

[CBO]

Since I have the drive off due to having to rebuild the entire transom shield assembly I thought it might be a good idea to check the gimbal alignment. The question that I have for you all is does one spend the big bucks on the Volvo tool or get one off Ebay or Amazon?

[bruceb58]

eBay ones are fine.

[Titaniumboy]

Are you looking for the equivalent of Volvo Penta 3851083? If yes, then the site below has dimensions for the tool.

https://mbsmfg.com/outdrive-coupler-ali ... -volvo-sx/

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MBS Manufacturing also has a slightly more expensive version that has an eye hook in the end, and another version that comes in two pieces for less expensive shipping.

It turns out that these dimensions will also work for my Bravo 3 drive. I want to make one on my benchtop lathe and see if it works as well as the boat shop’s alignment tool. This will be the last time our boat shop gets to check the alignment as we are moving next year.

[CBO]

Thank you for the reply. Looks like MBS is the way to go.

[Titaniumboy]

MBS shipping is pretty expensive. As long as the other eBay or Amazon alignment tools have these dimensions, then you should be good to go.

I would certainly measure whatever alignment tool you buy with some calipers to check for gross dimension errors. Ideally you would be using a 1” to 2” micrometer to verify the dimensions. Good used micrometers come up on eBay all the time for less than $25.