Side to Side out drive play

[jeepnsam]

My out drive has a little play,which seams too much to me.

I've read this article:
http://www.mercstuff.com/gimbalringwear.htm

So it looks like I have a little play between the Gimbal Ring and the Swivel Shaft.

The questions are:

Q1: How much play is too much play in the "real use world"?
Q2: How much is normal wear and tear but allowable?

Measuring from the center of prop nut:

Side to side = .5" of play
Side to side = 1 " of play
Side to side = 2" of play
Side to side = 3" of play
Side to side = 4" of play
etc.....

Thank,
Sam
__________________
2003 Ford F150 Super Crew 5.4 v8
1985 Jeep CJ7 258 str8 6
1995 Searay 180 5.0 v8

 

[jeepnsam]

Re: Side to Side out drive play

UPDATE:

So i read the tech manual and all the online stuff and know that I can torque the Gimbal bolts to 50 ft lbs. So I start on the left side, then the right. The left side gets tighter but the right side just turns.

Is there a nut on the backside? or is the back half of the Gimbal threaded and something is stripped??

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: Side to Side out drive play

UPDATE:

So i read the tech manual and all the online stuff and know that I can torque the Gimbal bolts to 50 ft lbs. So I start on the left side, then the right. The left side gets tighter but the right side just turns.

Is there a nut on the backside? or is the back half of the Gimbal threaded and something is stripped??

There is a nut on the back, and I bet that's your problem. I just tightened mine and it had a foot of slop in it. It's completely tight now.

To get to the nut, lower the drive and turn all the way to one side. Use a box end wrench to get at it. IIRC, it's 9/16.

 

[jeepnsam]

Re: Side to Side out drive play

SWEET!! found the nut and tightened to 50 ft lbs...doesn't seam very tight to me. Looks like the Swivel Shaft square is a bit worn. Don't wanna torque it down too much and break the Gimbal Ring.

 

[jeepnsam]

Re: Side to Side out drive play

Humm!! I see a Gimbal Ring to Swivel Shaft Shim Kit idea running around in my head????

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: Side to Side out drive play

Humm!! I see a Gimbal Ring to Swivel Shaft Shim Kit idea running around in my head????

I misunderstood. Are you saying it's still loose? Can you see the swivel shaft moving through the crack in the gimbal ring when you move it by hand?

 

[jeepnsam]

Re: Side to Side out drive play

Yeah! the Gimbal Ring hole is worn a bit..I torqued it down to 55 ft lbs and there is still a little play...but not much as before.

 

[QC]

Re: Side to Side out drive play

I should have moved this over to I/O section a couple of days ago. Missed it, sorry. Worn gimbal rings don't get better . . . annnnnd, can be a safety issue. Good luck!