85 alpha gimbal ring

[shimano]

Friend has been complaining that his steering shakes when he turns,more at low speeds,both directions,Checked his drive and found alot of play where the steering pin clamps in the top of the gimbal ring(the square part).There has been play for a while because you can see the wear on the gimbal ring.I backed off the two clamp bolts put a small shim in each side and retorqued it.There now seems to be no play.With the wear I saw ,would retorquing the bolts be all I need to take out the play?Seems to be ok,just wondering if it will last.(Alot easier than a new gimbal ring).

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 85 alpha gimbal ring

...play where the steering pin clamps in the top of the gimbal ring(the square part).There has been play for a while because you can see the wear on the gimbal ring.I backed off the two clamp bolts put a small shim in each side and retorqued it.There now seems to be no play.With the wear I saw ,would retorquing the bolts be all I need to take out the play?Seems to be ok,just wondering if it will last.(Alot easier than a new gimbal ring).

Yes, and yes. The shims are probably not necessary, retorque every spring as part of annual maintenance (or if any play). The ring probably looks more worn than it is. You dun good!

 

[jtmarten]

Re: 85 alpha gimbal ring

Yearly maintenance item, although I've seen some websites claim you should never re-torque. I've questioned them and never received an answer back as to why they claim that.
Torque to 50-55ft-lbs.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 85 alpha gimbal ring

"Yearly maintenance item" sure is, but I'll bet not a lot of people do it. I have learned my lesson.

From the Mercruiser maintenance manual (General information 1 B) page 1B-2


Gimbal Ring Clamping Screws - Retorque to
50-55 ft. lb. (67-74 N?m).

End of first boating season and thereafter, every 100
hours of operation or once yearly, whichever occurs first.

 

[Grumman59]

Re: 85 alpha gimbal ring

"Yearly maintenance item" sure is, but I'll bet not a lot of people do it. I have learned my lesson.

Thanks for the tip. My gimbal ring also has play (1986 Alpha 1) so I checked those bolts and found them both quite loose, not much more than finger tight, in fact. So it was obviously never done on my boat.

Torquing them to 55ft/lbs made a slight improvement but further investigation showed there was looseness on the two pins on the power steering linkage. I haven't looked yet but maybe they can be re-bushed or just replaced. Any ideas?

 

[Brew411]

Re: 85 alpha gimbal ring

I've had steering play problems recently and have also seen the web site saying not to re torque the gimble ring bolts..at risk of death or injury (scary) But a tech at the dealer said re-torque every year. I found on of mine at 52 pounds and the other at about 28 pounds and a full 5 big cranks on the torque wrench to 50. So I left it at that. I'm going to float it this weekend to see if it improved. It sure feels better.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 85 alpha gimbal ring

I've had steering play problems recently and have also seen the web site saying not to re torque the gimble ring bolts..at risk of death or injury (scary) But a tech at the dealer said re-torque every year. I found on of mine at 52 pounds and the other at about 28 pounds and a full 5 big cranks on the torque wrench to 50. So I left it at that. I'm going to float it this weekend to see if it improved. It sure feels better.

That advice is BS A: it is part of Mercruiser's recommended annual maintenance. B: Just what the heck are you supposed to do? put on a new $500 gimbal ring every time there is a little play? C: In my humble opinion it is FAR more dangerous to be running around with a loose connection to the steering shaft. The two easiest ways to ruin your ring is to either hit something at high speed or let those bolts loosen up. Keep those bolts tight and you should never have a problem. Yes this is one of my pet peeves.