1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

[mike11374]

Boat is new (to me). Haven't driven it yet but noticed there is a bit of play in the outdrive in that it can be moved side to side and inch or two and the steering wheel is not moving. Is this normal or should i be concerned?

 

[wewefirex2x]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

There should be some concern. When you look at you outdrive you will have two bolts that go through the gimbal ring into the transom housing. Those bolts are supposed to be torqued to 55 Ft. Lbs. Also see if the steering shaft is moving when you move the outdrive, if not you may have a bad gimbal ring. I had my gimbal ring replaced with some other motor work a month ago and that set me back 2300.

 

[mike11374]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

I guess I need another guy in the back of the boat to see if the steering shaft is moving? What does it look like? Does the boat have to be running to turn the steering wheel on a boat with power steering? Thanks.

 

[mike11374]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

I think I actually misstated my question. I haven't water tested the boat yet, but when i grab the outdrive I can move it back and forth about 2-3" with no real resistence. Is that still a concern?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

Yup.....
Torque those bolts like WEWE says.....
An assistant will be helpful to see where the play truly is....
Prop the steering wheel so it cannot move & have your helper wiggle the drive while you observe from inside.....

The engine does not need to be running to perform these tests.....​

 

[wewefirex2x]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

Mike, this pic might help. The swivel pin is what you should be concerned with. The gimbal ring is made of aluminum and the pin is made of stainless, Those two don't get along.

 

[mike11374]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

So those are the two bolts that should be torqued to 55lbs?

 

[wewefirex2x]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

Mike, Yes those are the two bolts but be careful because they have nuts on the other end of the bolt. It may be difficult to get a wrench in there.

 

[mike11374]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

Anyone have any idea how to get a torque wrench into this area?

 

[wewefirex2x]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

See if you can tighten the nuts first and if that helps maybe you can torque it from the bolt.

 

[mike11374]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

Waiting for a torque wrench from a buddy this weekend. In the meantime, if that doesn't work is it definitely a gimbal ring replacement? I have a 30 day warranty on the outdrive and engine. This is clearly part of the outdrive right???

 

[wewefirex2x]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

The gimbal ring is part of the transom assembly which is part of the outdrive. If you bought it from a dealer make sure you have your ducks in a row, some will say it is supposed to move Bull****. Also if they do find there is a problem make sure you tell them to do it the right way. Don't let them install the access hole kit. If you google gimbal ring access hole you will find. It is safe and many boaters do this method but it only saves a couple hundred dollars on labor. The way I had mine done was they pulled the motor and outdrive to get more access to the transom assembly from the inside of boat. When they pulled the motor they also found a couple other things that were wrong and had to be replaced.

Also, was the boat you bought kept in the water and if so was it salt or fresh?

 

[mike11374]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

I was told the boat was not kept in water and that it was used only in fresh water. It certainly looks clean everywhere, the outdrive is shiny and clean as is the hull with no water line marks. So, just to be clear, this play in the steering is likely caused by a worn out or a cracked gimbal ring?? Is it likely that tightening the bolts will fix it??

 

[wewefirex2x]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

Yes the problem is most likely that. When you tighten look at the shaft that is running in between the two bolts (pic from earlier post) if the shaft (which is square) has made the hole at the top of the gimbal ring round than the gimbal ring is no good.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

If you are grabbing it down by the prop and can turn it side to side a couple inches as measured back at the prop--this is normal. If you can grab it up by the gimbal ring and can move the gimbal ring back and forth a couple of inches -this is not normal. I don't really think everybody is totally clear on what or where exactly your play is--I know I'm not. Course, I've been wrong before.

--
Stan

 

[mike11374]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

I can't move it at all by grabbing the gimbal ring. But I can move the outdrive itself back and forth. And this seems to correspond with a dead area in the steering back and forth. How do I get rid of the slack in the steering?

 

[jedimaster]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

SuperNova I think your exactly right. I have a feeling he is grabbing the out drive and wiggling the whole out drive left to right a few inches in that case is normal. I don't think that he is actually wiggling the gimbal ring.

 

[mike11374]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

I am moving the drive side to side. What about the slack in the steering? Do I have a loose steering cable (or something else) then?

 

[jedimaster]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

Would you say that the drive is Pivoting left and right. or the drive at the transom is also moving?
The drive should move at the transom, it should pivot though a little bit.
You will have some play in the steering wheel. I am not sure about your boat specifically but mine tightens right up once I am actually driving.

Here is a little diagram I drew up for you.

 

[mike11374]

Re: 1995 Stingray Alpha 1 Play in steering

It seems to be pivoting back and forth. Thank you so much for drawing the diagram. Much appreciated. I'll let you know how it drives this weekend when i test it out.