Recently was diagnosing side to side play on my Alpha 1 Gen 2. I had a few inches of side to side movement, but the upper swivel shaft was seated tightly to the gimbal ring. I religiously check the two clamp bolts for the gimbal ring annually. So with the shaft and ring moving as one I needed to check the steering arm. I removed the cotter key and pin from the steering linkage in the engine bay to check the arm for play. Bingo that was the issue. To gain acces to the arm for torquing of the clamp bolt, or complete removal of the steering arm if necessary, I ordered the Mercury access hole plug kit. All went well, torquing the bolt took all of the side movement out. But as a precaution I removed the arm so I could inspect the swivel shaft for wear. The shaft didn’t have any noticeable wear but the steering arm did so I replaced the arm and everything is tight as it should be with zero outdrive movement. Did this whole project in a couple hours but had to wait for the plugs to actually arrive the next day. While I was waiting I tapped the holes to 1” NPT in preparation. Well the plugs showed up and they are plastic. Went to install them today and they seem very prone to stripping out the hex key in the plug. The question I have, would ordering aluminium plugs be a bad decision? Or even stainless? I understand in theory why the plugs are plastic.
