Mornin' Alan et al...
Poorly designed this unit - would have made sense to have a couple locating notches or something to make sure the drive unit is aligned rather than the way we have to do it.
...not sure about that. I concede that once it's returned and the retaining bolts are just nipped up you can rotate the entire assembly several degrees either side of centre. Misalignment here however will accelerate noticable wear on the cush drove alloy blocks and the rubbers themselves, as the 5 flange coupling drive posts are on a greater
orbit than the flange boss. Though, once the cush block assembles have been flogged out by a misaligned final drive, it obvious stands to reason this
angled drive will inturn, compound wheel flange wear too.
The reason that the installation is the way it is, is to accommodate for the normal wear and tear on the final drive cush assembles through normal (or accelerated), back-lash wear (like trailer towing), so periodically you can release and reset the final drive alignment to decrease cush drive
and lower cushion (shock/spring), bush/shocker wear.
I re-align final drives about every 3rd tyre change, I dont tow. As a
guide, take note of the wear within the alloy cush drive blocks every tyre change, they will indicate alignment wear. I am sure you (& others), will have observed how the flange coupling posts wear the inside of the blocks. Note also how the cushion (shocker), bushes are wearing.
Tweeking final drive alignment from time to time will reduce this and both cushion (shocker), wear and tear.
So, this is why I think the present set up, albeit adding to rountine maintenance, isn't such a bad thing.
Just a thought.
Cheers the can:-)
PS...and have a great new years