Apparatus for aligning a scanner assembly in a laser scanning unit for an image forming device. A MEMS torsion oscillator is attached to a spherical base that is received by a socket in a laser scanning unit. The pivotal center of the scanner coincides with the center of the spherical base such that the center of the scanner does not move as the scanner is aligned in the skew, process, and scan directions. In various embodiments, the aligned relationship of the spherical base to the socket is maintained by an adhesive, a through-bolt, or a plurality of spring-biased adjustment screws. The configuration and location of the adjustment screws is such that adjustment of the scanner assembly is accomplished without blocking the laser beam used for alignment.