Steering, or trim limit?

johndoe

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 27, 2002
Messages
180
Merc 6.2L MPI Bravo 3 OM192xxx (drive)
I had a strange subtle squeeking noise when idling, in gear.... as I turn the wheel, slightly, just to put pressure on it, right or left, the noise would be a little more distincitive... hard to describe.... Anyway, I figured it was the gimbal or u-joints, so I hauled her out and pulled the drive. Discovered the gimbal and u-joints are perfect... They were replaced approx 2 years ago...

I found the u-bolt on the top of the gimbal ring, transom assembly, was loose... When I went to tighten it, the nut stripped.... I put new nuts on and they torqued fine... Could this be it?

I put the drive back on, and before bolting the trim cylinders on, i was able to move the drive back and forth, slightly, and could here what I beleive is the same or similar squeeking sound.... coming from the steering arm or the top of the transom-gimbal ring area... at the top....

I am leaning toward the steering arm or linkage as the problem... but, I noticed the trim limit spacer was installed in the forward position, and the manual shows on Bravo 3 it should be in the aft...

Could this be the problem? is the drive trimmed in so much that it is making that noise... I have had some steering issues that cause the boat to roll...
I put the trim limit spacer in the aft per specifications... I can't really get to the steering linkage on the inside of the boat... but hopefully it just needs lubed or something...?

I am at a loss...
 
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