How much outdrive play?

[birdy3897]

My outdrive has about a 1/4 inch to 1/2 of play side to side without the steering arm in the transom moving. Is this ok or normal, or should there really be no play. If it's normal I will probably let it ride but if it's considered bad then I will need to do something. thanks, jaybird

 

[birdy3897]

Re: How much outdrive play?

anyone?

 

[Don S]

Re: How much outdrive play?

Without knowing where you measured the play from, it's hard to say.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: How much outdrive play?

I'm with Don, but I will add that if you are rocking the drive side to side by grabbing it down by the skeg while it is tilted up, then yes, it is normal to have some play back and forth. Now if you grab the leading edge of the skeg and lift, there should be virtually no play at all.
--
Stan

 

[birdy3897]

Re: How much outdrive play?

Right now my drive is removed and with the gimbal ring in the down position it has about 1/2 of play side to side without the steering arm moving at all. I measured it with a caliper from the gimbal ring to the transom mount. It seems excessive to me but I'm not a marine mechanic and my manual doesn't say much of anything about it.