Prop shat alignment makes no sense

The shaft reference is the bearing in the strut, it is not floating like you think.

Once you align the shaft and stop thinking about it, it will make more sense.

Tim

The packing gland (stuffing box) with the rubber hose allows for the coupling end of the shaft to move up and down or side to side about 1/4" of more. That is normal. When you mate the two couplings together (unbolted) the .003" feeler gauge should be held tightly as you push the couplers together. This should be checked at top, bottom and either side. Then rotate the shaft coupling 180 deg, mate the two together and check again. Hope this helps! Brian

I've wondered the same things while staring down at it...moving it this way and that; physics dictate that it should be dead in line with the bore in the strut. I read in an older thread that, while on trailer, the boot should be removed as an important part to this procedure. The trouble is I didn't completely understand how he meant to do it. Maybe he'll read this and clue us in...I just had my tranny brought back to life and want it perfect!
Greg

what year and model boat is it. You don't have to remove the tank to get the rudder off on several models and years the newer boat you do but not the older ones there is plenty of room to get the job done.

Also did you read the posting Eric had on the procedure of aligning the shaft?

well you need to be able to get to the bolt that clamps the tiller arm to the rudder that is on the side and also the bolt that is vertical on top of the rudder the two should be safty wired together. if you can get those two off then back off the jam not on the packing gland and looseing the packing nut and the rudder should drop down.

for the alignment I wouldn't worry about the movement this way that way or what ever if it doesn't bind while rotating it then your good to go. also it is best if you do this while the boat is in the water at least double check after you done it on the trailer.

we need a refresher course i think, to explain mis alignment simply think of taking a piece of plastic 3 ft pvc pipe and holding it at each end and apply pressure to bend it, you have 2 points and when bent this is mis-alignment in this case you have point A and point B in which with it bent you can feel the strain from bending which creates excessive loads on the driveline, with your 2 hands perfectly in line with eachother the pvc will slide in and out..this i know you will understand. with alignment your simply trying to get the prop shaft perfectly in line with the center of the crankshaft to obtain a load free vibration free driveline. I aligned 2 2 and half shafts yesterday and pulled the couplings loosely together with bolts untill they just touched and then started my alignment pulling the couplings together as the alignment got closer.... oh by the way the plastic pvc represents your prop shaft cause i know someone out there is thinking what does plastic pipe have to do with this?

kev, darrel is right...you can reach it w/gas tank in. I did it 6 months ago.