Alpha one gimble swivel pin (lower)

[Benny67]

Anybody see one of these wear out? I mean I have quite a bit of slop in it and it just seems like an odd thing because the other side is fine.
(comparing port to starboard)

I am not talking about steering slop...Im talking the lower pin (17-99353)

Also, does this pin need to be pressed out or will it come out easy after I remove the cotter pin that appears to be holding it. It looks like it needs to be pressed out to me

 

[alldodge]

Things don't add up for me. You mention

the other side is fine.
(comparing port to starboard)

Which would tell me your talking about part number 77123 which is item 8



But then you mention it is part number "17-99353" which is the bottom swivel pin item 14


If it is the bottom swivel pin then need to remove and my guess would be, you need to replace the bearing item 2 in the top pic. If your talking about the pivot pins in the bell housing then you probably need a gimbal ring

 

[Benny67]

yes....I was hoping to see some sort of bushing in there...part #2 in the top drawing being worn out adds up.

You can lift the gimble ring assembly up and down about a 1/4" When the drive is on you don't notice it cause the weight of the drive itself and the trim rams is holding it secure.

Steering is fine. It had no effect on the steering at all

Thanks

 

[Benny67]

Does item #14 press out of the top after you take the pin out?

 

[alldodge]

Does item #14 press out of the top after you take the pin out?

No the pin just slides in/out, that is if corrosion is not the issue. Most the time it does take some work to get it out, but going back in is easy.

Don't forget about item 16 the washer

Edit, also check the upper pin, in most cases this causes most the play

 

[Benny67]

The upper is fine. You can clearly see the slop/play in the lower pin.

I am in the middle of doing bellows/bearings/water pump and the gimble housing is bare at the moment so it's right in your face.

 

[stonyloam]

If you are talking about the up-down slop, your problem is NOT with the lower pin. The up-down is adjusted by tightening the nut on the upper swivel pin which raises the ring. Not an easy fix! You would either need to drill holes in the gimbal housing, or remove the housing to do the adjustment. You need to loosen the clamping bolt on the steering lever before you can tighten the nut. I am not sure how critical the up-down slop is. If it is side to side play, yeah probably the bearing but I think you need to remove the ring to drive the bearing out.

 

[Benny67]

If you are talking about the up-down slop, your problem is NOT with the lower pin. The up-down is adjusted by tightening the nut on the upper swivel pin which raises the ring. Not an easy fix! You would either need to drill holes in the gimbal housing, or remove the housing to do the adjustment. You need to loosen the clamping bolt on the steering lever before you can tighten the nut. I am not sure how critical the up-down slop is. If it is side to side play, yeah probably the bearing but I think you need to remove the ring to drive the bearing out.

Uhh...I am staring at the lower pin and can see the slop as I pull on it.

Again....it's the lower part of the gimble housing. It's as clear as day. It has nothing to do with what you are explaining. Item #14 will need to be removed to confirm my theory. My original question was if that item is pressed or can be removed easily.

If you look at post #2 in this thread you will see he has an arrow pointing to item #2, that being a brass bushing. I "believe" when I remove item #14 I will see that bushing is either damaged or oblong from wear,possibly from the trim rams pulling the drive too far in and creating friction. That would be my guess.

 

[stonyloam]

OK, side play. Most Alphas have a roller bearing in there (my "87" did). Some of the later ones may have a bushing like the Gen II. if you have a grease fitting on the ring, you have the roller bearing. The problem is that once the pin has been removed you can't drive the roller bearing out with the ring in place, the pin hole is smaller than either the bearing or bushing. To remove the ring you need to pull the UPPER swivel shaft (#19) and to do that you need to remove the swivel shaft nut and steering arm. The only way to do that is to either remove the gimbal housing or drill access holes in the sides of the gimbal housing. If you have it all apart removing the housing may be the better option, either way PITA. To answer your original question, yes, you just drive the old one out and drive the new one in. The roller bearing has a couple of seals, not sure about the bushing. Good luck.

 

[stonyloam]

Oh yeah, I believe the bushing is nylon, not brass, no seals, drive out drive in. Only way I can see to do it is remove the ring.

 

[Benny67]

It's an '87 so it's probably a bearing.

I have a whole parts transom in my garage I picked up for $50 on craigslist. Hopefully it can donate what I need.

 

[stonyloam]

Cool! I am not sure if you will need by of those parts, but it will be a great tool for seeing what is involved. I am assuming that it has been cut out of a transom, maybe not. Anyway you will want to separate the gimbal housing. To remove the ring, loosen the gimbal ring clamping screws. Take a look inside, and you will see the big nut on top of the shaft. That is designed to be loosened by driving a chisel into the edge to turn it. Also there will be a clamping bolt on the steering arm that needs to be loosened so the arm can slide on the upper swivel shaft when it is pulled out. There is a threaded hole in the bottom of the upper shaft that you can screw a slide hammer into a long extension up through the lower pin hole ( I used a bolt through a board and used a hammer to knock mine out). The lower pin should be removed first and can be a chore. Be careful that you do not crack the housing when you drive it out. Since you have gone this far it would probably be a good idea to replace the upper swivel shaft seals while you are at it. Go to boatinfo.no, Mercruiser manual # 6 for the factory manual.