Aligning drive shaft to vDrive

Well I am back in the Nautique family. Picked up a 1992 Nautique Excel that needed some work. Buffing, New steering cable, strut, and drive shaft. So far I have removed all parts, and have the new drive shaft, strut in and have the steering cable in but not attached. I have reached a point where I could use some guidance. The coupler that is attached to the drive shaft that needs to bolt to the vdrive alignment is off, and not at .003 by checking with the feeler gauge. It is the port side that has the gap. This is my first time doing a drive shaft so I am very much learning as I go. I would like to know my next step on how to get the coupler that is connected to the drive shaft aligned so I can bolt it back up to the V-drive. All feedback is appreciated, and if i need to give more detail please let me know. Hope this makes sense, and sorry if my terminology is wrong.

If you changed the strut you should make sure that the shaft is centered in the through hull before you move the engine mounts. In the mean time get some good penetrating oil oil on the mounts even if you are not ready to loosen them.

JoeinNY wrote: If you changed the strut you should make sure that the shaft is centered in the through hull before you move the engine mounts.

Plus 1 and make sure when the shaft is centered, it's "happy". IE: turns freely and isn't binding in the cutlass bearing due to an angular misalignment.