removing strut

I have been reading many of the posts about alignment, shaft, and strut. Thanks to all of you I think I have an understanding of alignment. My problem is with my strut, it is tweaked (slightly bent). I am ready to try one of your straightening techniques but the first step is removing the strut. Will the screws that hold the strut to the hull loosen by hand or do I need some more serious power?

It's pretty sad when I can't even get passed step one!

Thanks for any help.

Thanks very much Chris! I'm going to go try this and see what happens! You guys are awesome. Thanks!

Thanks for the welcoming and all your kind help and advice! You guys deserve awards for being able to teach a knucklehead like me to do any of this!

Excellent, I think I have met with success! It seems funny but after I went through this strut situation, I checked the alignment and it still seems fine. I followed the alignment instructions posted by Eric L. and I think I'm good. Gauge did not slide between couplers at all.

I live in Eau Claire, but originally from northern WI. North of Hayward in the woods, which is where my obsession with Correct Craft was born.

Thanks Guys!
     

sandstpf wrote: I checked the alignment and it still seems fine. I followed the alignment instructions posted by Eric L. and I think I'm good. Gauge did not slide between couplers at all.

I hate to tell you this but it sounds like you didn't unbolt and separate the coupling halves!!! You are not looking for a gap because there isn't one. You are looking for gap differences side to side, top to bottom. It's the check for angular misalignment btween the engine and the shaft.