Cannot Tighten Stern Bracket Tension on Sportwin ... Nut Just 'Spins'

[bobgritz]

The tensioner bolt on my Sportwin will not tighten. The 'friction nut' (connected to the bolt) is obviously spinning and I don't see any way to get a wrench to it unless I remove the entire stern bracket. Surely there is a shortcut I'm missing ... perhaps (strategically) drill a rather large hole in the side of the bracket housing big enough to slip a wrench through??? Anyone know any tricks???

 

[boobie]

Re: Cannot Tighten Stern Bracket Tension on Sportwin ... Nut Just 'Spins'

Model # ????

 

[bobgritz]

Re: Cannot Tighten Stern Bracket Tension on Sportwin ... Nut Just 'Spins'

Thanks for reply ... it's an old timer ... a 1968 Johnson Sportwin 9.5 HP ... I have a similar 9.5 Evinrude (parts) motor and that nut tightens perfectly. I suspect the friction nut (on the Johnson) has somehow come loose, and hopefully not dropped off, and since it will not tighten you are constantly fighting to keep motor aligned while boating. I hate to blindly drill into the stern bracket but there is so much meat on the housing I don't think I would do any structrual damage. Perhaps removing the bracket from the motor is the best way to go but on the surface that job looks somewhat complicated but I've found that shortcuts are oftentimes more work than they're worth. Any experiences with either of these problems out there???

 

[boobie]

Re: Cannot Tighten Stern Bracket Tension on Sportwin ... Nut Just 'Spins'

This may sound dumb, but have you pulled the adjustment screw out to see what the threads on the end of it look like ?? Or did the screw break ??

 

[F_R]

Re: Cannot Tighten Stern Bracket Tension on Sportwin ... Nut Just 'Spins'

Something is missing out of there. Take a look. Parts view is on marineengine.com

 

[bobgritz]

Re: Cannot Tighten Stern Bracket Tension on Sportwin ... Nut Just 'Spins'

Nothing sounds dumb here ... thanks for the input! I have been reluctant to remove (pull) the adjustment screw (bolt) for fear of losing the nut which is supposedly attached at the other end. F_R ... thank you too and yes, marineengine.com was my first stop (here's the link for reference):

( http://www.marineengine.com/parts/j...facturer=Evinrude&section=Stern+Bracket+Group ).

The diagram does not show it but, the nut (#7) is totally hidden from the exterior of the stern bracket group and the only way to reach it appears to be by taking the entire bracket off the motor (or drilling into the side of the housing. I'll try to unscrew and remove the 'steering friction screw (bolt #13)' next ... it is useless as is so trying to remove it makes perfect sense.

 

[F_R]

Re: Cannot Tighten Stern Bracket Tension on Sportwin ... Nut Just 'Spins'

Ah, so THAT is what you are fighting with. I know exactly what the problem is. Your friction washers #10 are missing. That allows the nut #7 to pull up out of it's socket.

Remove the arc #11, then use the bolt #13 to pull the whole mess up and out of the cavity. Replace the friction washers and reassemble. With all the parts in place the nut will sit lower in the cavity and won't turn.

Been there and done that----many times.