A method for manufacturing a transducer assembly for an ultrasonic flow meter comprising: (a) providing a piezoelectric housing having a central axis , a first end , a second end opposite the first end , and a first counterbore extending axially from the first end ; (b) inserting a piezoelectric element into the first counterbore ; (c) inserting a plurality of spacers into the first counterbore ; (d) coaxially positioning the piezoelectric element within the first counterbore and maintaining the coaxial position of the piezoelectric element in the first counterbore before (e) with the spacers by positioning each of the spacers radially between the piezoelectric element and the housing , circumferentially spacing the spacers about the piezoelectric element with a central axis of each spacer oriented parallel to the central axis of the housing , and engaging the outer surface of the piezoelectric element and the inner surface of the housing within the first counterbore with each spacer ; wherein each spacer has an axial length (L 230 ) measured parallel to the central axis of the spacer , wherein the piezoelectric element has an axial length (L 212 ) measured parallel to the central axis of the housing , and wherein the axial length (L 230 ) of each spacer is greater than one-half the axial length (L 212 ) of the piezoelectric element ; (e) filling the first counterbore with a matching layer after (d); and (f) maintaining the coaxial position of the piezoelectric element within the first counterbore during (e) with the spacers by restricting the axial, radial, and pivotal movement of the piezoelectric element relative to the housing . (a) providing a piezoelectric housing having a central axis , a first end , a second end opposite the first end , and a first counterbore extending axially from the first end ; (b) inserting a piezoelectric element into the first counterbore ; (c) inserting a plurality of spacers into the first counterbore ; (d) coaxially positioning the piezoelectric element within the first counterbore and maintaining the coaxial position of the piezoelectric element in the first counterbore before (e) with the spacers by positioning each of the spacers radially between the piezoelectric element and the housing , circumferentially spacing the spacers about the piezoelectric element with a central axis of each spacer oriented parallel to the central axis of the housing , and engaging the outer surface of the piezoelectric element and the inner surface of the housing within the first counterbore with each spacer ; wherein each spacer has an axial length (L 230 ) measured parallel to the central axis of the spacer , wherein the piezoelectric element has an axial length (L 212 ) measured parallel to the central axis of the housing , and wherein the axial length (L 230 ) of each spacer is greater than one-half the axial length (L 212 ) of the piezoelectric element ; (e) filling the first counterbore with a matching layer after (d); and (f) maintaining the coaxial position of the piezoelectric element within the first counterbore during (e) with the spacers by restricting the axial, radial, and pivotal movement of the piezoelectric element relative to the housing . <EOS>