Shade tree mechanics

[xoxoxoBruce]

Have you tried using a drift punch to get it aligned? Once you have it aligned how are you holding it firm while you screw in the bolt? I'm assuming you've threaded the bolt into the hole with the unit free from the other pieces it aligns with. Yes I know it's the hole it came out of, but has it been back in since then?
The bolt has a lead on it (slightly tapered threads) so it will center on the hole as long as nothing else is pushing the bolt off center or making it try to enter at the wrong angle.

Oh, and a longer bolt with the same thread? Cut the head off that thing, then with it screwed in slide everything together, clamp that sumbitch so it can't move and replace it with your bolt.