Another Merc #1 Gimbal ring replacement question

[JasonB]

Ok. I hot the blasted lower swivel pin out using seafoam and lots of propane heat. I also got the equally fun nut off the top of the upper swivel shaft. When I got all the pieces loose, I reassembled them to see where the play was. I know the play is in the ring for playing with it on the boat, but it must be a question of leverage as it doesn't seem to be that bad?? Is this normal? With the parts loosely assembled, It's hard to spot any improper movement.<br /><br />Also, any suggestions on wires to run to my trim limit switch? The originals are rotrted away completely. I'm thinking some 4-flat trailer wire as it is designed to hold up in the elements. This is a trailered freshwater boat and I have plents of the above wire. Will this suffice?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Another Merc #1 Gimbal ring replacement question

hello<br /> see how much fun that was.<br /> you cannot get a reliable splice on that. just buy a new switch kit. <br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[JasonB]

Re: Another Merc #1 Gimbal ring replacement question

Thanks Rodbolt. I'm not splicing per say, I was replacing all the wire end to end. The limit switch hasn't been connected since I got the boat 3 years ago due to the rotted wire so I've always had to use the "trailer" override switch to use trim. The back of my switch has screw terminals and now that the g-ring is off, I have access to the grommet the wire goes through. There is no trim sender, gust the limit switch.<br /><br />As for the suggestions mad in my previous post about heating the pin more... a man can do some interesting things when you mix seafoam, a propane torch, a steel hammer/punch, and a healthy dose of anger at something.<br /><br />As for the original question too, is it normal that you can't feel a huge amount of slop in the pieces once they are out of the boat and ou re-assemble them on the bench?

 

[achris]

Re: Another Merc #1 Gimbal ring replacement question

I prefer to think of it not as "anger" but as "enthusiasm".

 

[JasonB]

Re: Another Merc #1 Gimbal ring replacement question

Whatever you want to call it, it worked. Unfortunately, I experienced some more of it trying to get the bellows back on, but I squelched it enough to avoid damage. All I have left (I Hope) is connect the upper end of the new lower shift cable, adjust it, and mount the drive. Not too bad of a project, but not for the faint of heart.<br /><br />Then I het to move on to the next project. Mounting a full width teak swim platform that we bought for our anniversary. Should be fun on a boat that never had one offered by the factory.

 

[sculbert]

Re: Another Merc #1 Gimbal ring replacement question

My merc manual talks about just shimming up the gimbal ring to compensate for slop. This is inserted on the bottom pin. It seems to me the adjustment is for up and down play. I would suspect when you put everything together outside of it you won't see that play. IF it looks tight and feels tight put it back together and use the feeler gage and adjust it to a spec of .015" to .030". This is measured on the bottom pin between the ginbal ring and housing.