Steering lever hitting one side of gimbal housing

[84EdH]

I have a 1979 Century with a 228 Mercruiser transom setup. My boat always has turned left a lot sharper than right. In fact, the engine used to stall a lot while docking if you turned the steering wheel too far to turn right. I actually posted about this a year ago. Well with the engine out, transom plate etc. removed, I tried to turn the gimbal ring back and forth. There is really no excessive play, but even with the gimbal housing on the bench, it turns one way about an inch more one way than the other. The steering lever hits the gimbal housing cut out on one side and actually you can see a spot where the lever has worn the gimbal housing frame a small amount from hitting it.

Can I do something to center the steering lever?

thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Steering lever hitting one side of gimbal housing

Check the tube that the steering cable goes to on the transom shield. It should be adjustable.

 

[84EdH]

Re: Steering lever hitting one side of gimbal housing

I thought maybe the placement of the steering lever on the gimbal ring could be off if there are splines involved. I can check the transom plate adjustment, but it seems that would be after re-installing the transom plate and gimbal housing. What do you think?

 

[Don S]

Re: Steering lever hitting one side of gimbal housing

Center the gimbal ring in the gimbal housing and see if the steering arm is straight out or off to the side.

 

[84EdH]

Re: Steering lever hitting one side of gimbal housing

with the gimbal ring centered in the housing, the steering lever aims 10 degrees off center

 

[84EdH]

Re: Steering lever hitting one side of gimbal housing

still waiting on feedback

 

[84EdH]

Re: Steering lever hitting one side of gimbal housing

I have determined my steering lever is installed off center, limiting my ability to turn sharply to the right. My transom plate and gimbal housing are out of the boat and on my bench. Is there a way to re-position that steering lever without removing the bell housing and gimbal ring? Can I drop the upper swivel shaft just enough to lift and re-position the steering lever?

help much appreciated.

 

[84EdH]

Re: Steering lever hitting one side of gimbal housing

Well I did get the steering lever up enough to free it from the upper swivel shaft. I thought it would be an easy slide it over a bit and tighten everything up. I found out I dont have splines on the upper swivel shaft, but rather a square. So now I need to know if that shaft can be turned a bit so the steering lever is straight when installed.

help much appreciated

 

[84EdH]

Re: Steering lever hitting one side of gimbal housing

Well my education continues: I do have a splined upper swivel shaft, I just didnt know it was flat across the front. Also, I know now you cant turn the swivel shaft because it is square in a square hole. I am having trouble moving the steering lever toward starboard, it will go that direction a bit, but it doesnt settle down onto the splines. I think I dont have enough clearance from the nut to get totally clear of the splines.
Question: I want the upper swivel shaft to drop down a bit, to get the nut off. How do I get that shaft to drop?

help much appreciated

 

[84EdH]

Re: Steering lever hitting one side of gimbal housing

Discovered the top of the upper gimbal ring swivel pin has bent splines. What could have caused this ? Anything particular to consider for other damage?