gimble housing is loose

[dave 7 0]

tried to launch the boat the other day. Pulled the engine cover to check the bilge because this was just purchased and it was my first time putting her in the water. Had a large amount of water entering the boat.pulled it out got it home and inspected it. the gimble housing is loose. If i tilt up the outdrive and shake it up and down the housing moves on the transom. Is it just a case of loose bolts? Is there a seal between the housing and the outside hull of the boat? The transom does not flex when moving the outdrive. I assume if the transom were rotten there would be some flex here? Boat is a 1998 bayliner 195 with the 3.0 and alpha one series 2. Thanks guys hope yall can point me in the right direction.

 

[alldodge]

Sorry, its not loose bolts, and also sorry your going to hear from a lot of folks here about what should have happened

It probably the gimbal ring which is moving, and there is a seal in the top along with a bushing
Need to remove the drive and inspect/replace bellows because they to are probably bad
While your at it replace the lower shift cable

But first remove the drive so you can have a better look

 

[dave 7 0]

not really understanding. The bellhousing is not loose.The top and bottom pivot pins( not sure of what they are called) dont have excessive slack. where the gimble mates to the exterior of the hull there is a slight(1/16") gap. When i pick up on the drive that crack closes let the weight of the drive down and it opens up again.

 

[dave 7 0]

i tried the 4 topmost bolts. 3 out of the four turned easily. No idea how tight they should be. it looks they are studs. so no bolt head to hold a backup wrench on. I dont want to over tighten them. How are the studs held into the outer gimble ring?

 

[dave 7 0]

sorry terminology was all wrong. there is slack in the bolts holding the inner transom ring to the gimble housing. the gimble housing is not tight against the hull. Sorry guys im trying to get this boat lingo down.

 

[alldodge]

If your talking about the studs and nut which hold the outdrive on the bell housing, then they should be good and tight using a 3/8 drive ratchet. The torque spec is 50 ft lbs. They should be self locking nuts (Nylock)

There is also a gasket which goes between drive a bellows

 

[kenny nunez]

I am beginning to understand what you are describing. You have a soft transom. Bayliner used some type of foam instead of wood in their transom. If that is the problem then the engine needs to come out and the transom plate, then the transom needs to be repaired. Not a cheap job.

 

[salty3rd]

They are studs and according to this diagram the nuts should be tourqed to 25 ft/lbs

 

[Bt Doctur]

If you can move the transom housing you either have :
loose nuts from a improper install
broken bolts/studs from a really hard bottom strike
a badly rotted transom.
Theres no easy button for this, motor comes out, drive and housings come off

 

[Bt Doctur]

image hosting free

 

[Grub54891]

The seller knew there was an issue. probably wont fess up to any issues, but I'd be making contact with them and seeing if there can be a refund. Some people like to screw the other guy. Sad situation.

 

[dave 7 0]

soft transom is what i first thought but there seems to be no flex in the transom 3 of the top 4 bolts were loose with a 3/8 ratchet.i just dont want to over tighten and pull the studs out of the gimble housing as i dont know if they are cast into the housing or if they thread in.

 

[dave 7 0]

the bolts that sandwich the transom between the gimble housing and the inner transom plate. six of them i think.

 

[alldodge]

The boat is toast and to far gone without total rebuild

 

[dave 7 0]

total rebuild of what?

 

[Bt Doctur]

The studs are threaded into the housing and use nuts and washers looks like the GEN II has just 8 studs

 

[dave 7 0]

thanks.i'm going to check the bottom 4 tomorrow. if the top 4 were that loose the bottoms will probably be worse.

 

[dave 7 0]

They are studs and according to this diagram the nuts should be tourqed to 25 ft/lbs

thanks for the info.

 

[alldodge]

total rebuild of what?

If I'm understanding the issue correctly, the transom assembly is loose, all bolts are loose, so unless the bolts where intentionally loosened, then the transom is soft. The bolts are troqued to 22.5 ft lb