Steering lever orientation

[Josh P]

I need help, Doing a gimbal ring on my 1976 mercruiser 888, I am swapping over to a square/spline ring. Put it all back together how i took it apart and now i do not get full steering travel. My steering lever is hitting the transom, So im wondering if my old ring was just so bad that it didnt hit before. So how should this arm be orientated? Pic 1 or pic 2. also the seal for the swivel shaft which way would that go in? thanks for your help.

 

[achris]

Re: Steering lever orientation

Bottom picture.. Seals with the lip up...

 

[Josh P]

Re: Steering lever orientation

That's how it was when it came apart. Not sure what changed or happened to cause my issue...thanks achris for your help

 

[84EdH]

Re: Steering lever orientation

Josh, check for full swing of the outdrive without the steering lever first. then put the lever on so that it centers when the drive is straight ahead. You didnt say if lever hits both sides or just one. My guess is just one. Maybe centering the lever by lifting off the splines and re-positioning will do the trick. Lastly if you do the above and it still hits, look closely into the hole through the transom plate and see if the lever is hitting the cutout in the wood/fiberglass hull or if hitting hole in inner transom plate hole. If in the wood you can grind out a bit with a dremel with everything in place. My boat always steered more left than right and when engine was pulled for rebuild, I found the transom cutout was a little too tight and the steering lever hitting. Drove the boat 10 years that way!

 

[Josh P]

Re: Steering lever orientation

OK thanks, once I get a new seal and put it back together I'll look at that more closely. Thanks alot