Movement right to left in alpha outdrive

[Jmarsh012]

I’ve got probably a 1/4” or 1/2” of play in the outdrive. It is only left and right not up and down. Is this normal or is this sign of bad final ring or bearing? Or possibly something else? TIA

 

[dubs283]

Possible slop between the gimbal ring and steering shaft, square hole top of gimbal ring. More common on bravo transom assys but not unheard of with alphas.

If you're swinging the drive side to side check if there is play between the gimbal ring and steering shaft, i.e. ring moves but shaft remains stationary

 

[achris]

Hello and welcome to iboats.

Side to side movement is likely an accumulation of small amounts of clearance in each component in the system...

You'll need to get someone to move the drive left-right while you observe each of the components to see where that excess movement is. The 3 usual places are the steering lever into the upper swivel shaft, the gimbal ring to upper swivel shaft and the drag link between the end of the steering lever and the end of the steering cable...

Chris...

 

[achris]

 

[flashback]

There are several linkages that compounded can create a good bit of slop in an older boat. Be sure the clinch bolts on the gimbal ring are to spec. That's where you can run into some big problems if not tight..

 

[Jmarsh012]

I’ve got probably a 1/4” or 1/2” of play in the outdrive. It is only left and right not up and down. Is this normal or is this sign of bad final ring or bearing? Or possibly something else? TIA

 

[achris]

Yes, you have something loose, check the parts I pointed out.