out drive side by side play/slop - about one inch

[uahub]

1998 mercuriser 4.3 (GM remanufactured) with alpha 1 gen+ out drive, on a 1998 regal valanti 176se

The out drive itsself has a bit play from side to side if I push (sure during trailering). I searched the forum, and then tightened the top two screws on the top of gimbal ring but these two screws just keep turning(not loosely) and just couldn't reach to the 55lb torq. Is there a back nuts also loosing behind from transom side?? I looked inside there are two screw nuts and those are not rotating while I tighten the outside two screws. Should I just keep tighten, I dont want to risk the ring? Do you guys feel this 1 inch play can damage the ring during the transportation? The play is only side by side, not up and down.
Thanks!

 

[Bt Doctur]

there are nuts behind the bolts and I think the torque is 50Ft/Lbs

 

[harringtondav]

The two lock nuts Bt Doctur mentioned can only be accessed if you turn you drive hard each way so you can get a back up wrench on them behind the gimbal ring. 50 ft lbs is the spec., and won't damage anything.

 

[achris]

1998 mercuriser 4.3 (GM remanufactured) with alpha 1 gen+ out drive ...

The engine is Gen+, the drive is Gen II...

Get a 9/16" (IIRC) offset ring spanner and you can get to the nuts on the back. It's an annual maintenance item to re-torque those screws to 55lb-ft.



Chris...........

 

[uahub]

Thanks so much guys.
So the two screws#20 should be torqued to 55 by holding the back nut#23 that can be accessed if I turn the wheel all the way to one end? (Get a 9/16" (IIRC) offset ring spanner and you can get to the nuts on the back). I will give it a try first thing tomorrow. Thanks again.

 

[achris]

Yep. Twas our pleasure.

 

[uahub]

Just to report back, the two screws#20 are pretty tight, 50lb clicked while I held the back nuts.
Unfortunately the play is still there. The side by side move (about 1 inch) actually includes the whole gimbal ring (including the two top screws move together), the ring's play is rotated over #14 and #13. So tighten #20 didn't help. Is this something I have to unassemble the unit or I heard I may have to drill a hole to get access to tighten it? Is 1inch play alot for transportation? I dont think it's gonna hurt the ring thought, just the steering may have more and move play over time. Thanks again!

 

[nola mike]

To retorque, you need to unscrew and then retighten.

 

[uahub]

So #20&23 screws is to tighten the #14/13? Make sense, I'll try again, unscrew and retorq. I currently don't have the washer (#20), I'll just add one when I unscrew it. Thanks!

 

[uahub]

I unscrewed both screws and then retorqued to 55. Still has the same play. I think it might be either #14 is worn out or I need to tighten #14 with the nut above #15 (but no access)? Thanks for the graph - make my explanation much easier.

 

[achris]

Have you tried to tighten the steering arm clamp bolt (#18 and #19)?... If you have and it's still loose, it may have been loose for so long that the top of the ring or the steering arm (#13) have flogged out on the swivel shaft. You will need to replace the gimbal ring, upper swivel shaft (#14) and the steering arm.

Chris........

 

[uahub]

how to get access to #18,19? is it under the top cover or do I have to take the engine out?

 

[Bt Doctur]

the correct way is to remove the motor, remove the housing and repair it on the bench. Some opt to drill and tap the side of the housing to remove the pinch bolts and then install plugs.Once you have the arm and shaft removed you can heat the arm a lot, tighten the pinch bolt down so that it dosent fit on the pin, let cool and file arm to size and reinstall

 

[Bt Doctur]

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14b4.pdf

 

[scoflaw]

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...9899662E082E4CE3D38F9899662E082E4CE&FORM=VIRE

 

[uahub]

Thanks for the info and video. I think at this moment for just a small movement side by side, I will just leave it as is. Both methods are too complicated, for me I'm afraid I may turn a smaller problem into a bigger one Thanks again, great forum!

 

[achris]

Leaving it, it will get worse.