gravismaximus
Cadet
- Joined
- May 20, 2020
- Messages
- 7
Hi everyone
a little background... 98 sportcraft 252 fishmaster, 357 alpha one gen2
i bought the boat in October and only drove it twice (first time for the test drive while i bought it, and one time out on my local lake) before i had to put a cover on it due to snow for our NY winter. both times i do not recall the wheel turning to the left if i would have let go. been able to take it out once so far this year and it now turns to the left.
So I am assuming its something i did to it over winter to cause this, which include.
replaced gimbal bearing, and adjusted engine alignment
installed missing bushings for trim cylinders (less play now on shaft- cylinder to outdrive)
now when i went and adjusted the engine, the engine mount studs did turn in the mounts
(bad mounts ?) with a little help from my fire wrench and vise grips i was able to free up the adjustment lock nuts. the engine had to be lowered at least 1/2"
and i used the eyehook to pick it up evenly (i hope) and support it. to check the mounts i have reved the engine on the trailer , results were no engine movement and I also used a pry bar to try and move the engine side to side with no effect. which tells me the mounts are still ok. alignment tool slide in with 3 fingers at 90 ,180, 270,360 grease marks were pretty even
my outdrive does not have the finned anode above the prop so no adjustment available there.
something else i noticed (dont know if its normal or not) if i try and turn the outdrive (not wheel) by hand with it not running side to side sometimes it moves and sometimes it moves a little before it stops. if its running it dont lock up.
Ideas ladies and gentlemen please, thank you
a little background... 98 sportcraft 252 fishmaster, 357 alpha one gen2
i bought the boat in October and only drove it twice (first time for the test drive while i bought it, and one time out on my local lake) before i had to put a cover on it due to snow for our NY winter. both times i do not recall the wheel turning to the left if i would have let go. been able to take it out once so far this year and it now turns to the left.
So I am assuming its something i did to it over winter to cause this, which include.
replaced gimbal bearing, and adjusted engine alignment
installed missing bushings for trim cylinders (less play now on shaft- cylinder to outdrive)
now when i went and adjusted the engine, the engine mount studs did turn in the mounts
(bad mounts ?) with a little help from my fire wrench and vise grips i was able to free up the adjustment lock nuts. the engine had to be lowered at least 1/2"and i used the eyehook to pick it up evenly (i hope) and support it. to check the mounts i have reved the engine on the trailer , results were no engine movement and I also used a pry bar to try and move the engine side to side with no effect. which tells me the mounts are still ok. alignment tool slide in with 3 fingers at 90 ,180, 270,360 grease marks were pretty even
my outdrive does not have the finned anode above the prop so no adjustment available there.
something else i noticed (dont know if its normal or not) if i try and turn the outdrive (not wheel) by hand with it not running side to side sometimes it moves and sometimes it moves a little before it stops. if its running it dont lock up.
Ideas ladies and gentlemen please, thank you
