Bravo Steering Play

[76SeaRay]

Looking at a used transom assembly. Owner says it has some steering play (steering arm to gimbal assembly) and that this is a common Mercruiser problem. Anybody have more information on this? Can it be easily repaired (drill out and bushing perhaps?).

Thanks.

 

[imp0ster]

the gimbal ring and steering pin wear out because mercruiser builds them like crap and there is slop from the factory. It's a dangerous situation. Sometimes the bolts that put pressure on the steering pin are not to torque spec or broken but 90%+ it's the ring/pin

 

[stonyloam]

The gimbal ring is worn. Check this out http://www.jrmarine.com/products/gimbal_repair.htm on an Alpha you can sometimes correct it by retorquing the bolts. I do not know about a bravo. If you call JR they can probably give you some guidance.

 

[scoflaw]

Make sure the hole in the gimbal ring is square. Expensive to replace or repair. Stainless swivel pin and bushings are cheap enough. Find out where the play is at.

 

[76SeaRay]

Thanks. The assembly is on EBay so can't see it for myself. It looks almost new to be worn but he did say it has play of about 3/4 inch. That seems like quite a bit if it is all in that square hole. Ouch, just looked at the price of a new gimbal ring. Expensive rebuild too.