1989 5.7 Cobra gimbal ring up down play

Donzi GT250

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
110
Took the drive off my 1989 Donzi Gt250 with OMC 350APRMED cobra drive.
I have noticed a bit of up and down play of the gimbal ring assembly # 45
The amount of up down movement or the gimbal ring is about 1/32 to 1/16 inch.
I checked another gimbal ring on a another boat with a the cobra drive removed and I don't feel any up down movement on that unit.
So my question is this.
Is it normal or OK to have a bit of up down movement of the gimbal ring on my unit?
What would cause this up down movement?
Looking at the parts diagram for my unit it would seem that either or both the lower gimbal thrust washer #32 or the upper gimbal O ring # 3 could cause this movement if they are worn.

What else should i look at that could cause this movement?
I have attached a parts diagram of my unit for reference.

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/OMC/SternDrive/1989/350APRMED/TRANSOM MOUNT/parts.html

Thanks
 
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