Positioning tool for circular lubricant dam insert, and related method

A method of positioning a circular lubricant dam insert on a splined drive shaft, the method comprising:

• positioning a positioning tool on the splined drive shaft, the positioning tool including:
• a circular body having an inner surface configured to slide over an outer surface of the splined drive shaft,
• a first plurality of splines on the inner surface of the circular body, the first plurality of splines configured to axially mate with a second plurality of splines on the outer surface of the splined drive shaft during the positioning,
• a depth setting member positioned on the circular body, the depth setting member defining an axial extent to which the circular body slides over the outer surface of the splined drive shaft during the positioning, and
• a position setting element extending axially from the circular body, the position setting element configured to contact and axially position the circular lubricant dam insert on the splined drive shaft;
• positioning the circular lubricant dam insert about the splined drive shaft, ensuring an axial end of the circular lubricant dam insert abuts the position setting element on the positioning tool;
• permanently fastening the circular lubricant dam insert to the splined drive shaft;
• and
• removing the positioning tool.