merc. upper steering shaft.

[stroyer]

Hi, from Denmark
I have a 1990 Century 270 xl with a Mercruiser 350 magnum and a Alpha One sterndrive. I have appr. 4 inches sloop in my steering.

Does anyone know what year merc started using the square to square upper steering shaft in the gimbal ring, in stead of the square to spline ?

And what is the easiest way to replace the axel and the steering arm ?

 

[Bondo]

Re: merc. upper steering shaft.

Does anyone know what year merc started using the square to square upper steering shaft in the gimbal ring, in stead of the square to spline ?

Ayuh,...... Long before your 1990.......

And what is the easiest way to replace the axel and the steering arm ?

Pull the Drive,.... Then the motor, then the transom assembley,....
Repair it,+ Reinstall Everything......

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: merc. upper steering shaft.

Did you try tightening the two bolts on top of the gimabal ring?...
I'm pretty sure that the newer design by 1990......
If it needs replacement, not an easy fix, is it a Gen 1 or Gen II?....
Probably Gen I from that year, but it is close enough to the change, to verify....

 

[stroyer]

Re: merc. upper steering shaft.

It is a gen I

What about the method where you drill holes above the axel or the steering shaft ? Is that not durable?
the two bolts are tight.

so i need the square to square axle ?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: merc. upper steering shaft.

Assuming that it is Gen 1, here is the free link to Merc manual #6....
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf
Click on the lettered sections on page seven to download what you want to view.......​

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: merc. upper steering shaft.

Page seven, section four covers that.....
I would makes sure I have isolated the play before teardown....

 

[stroyer]

Re: merc. upper steering shaft.

the play is between the upper steering axle an the steering arm. not in the gimbal ring.
i had to find out what type axle there is in my transum, square or spline.
it looks like it is a square to square axle in my Alpha One gen. 1 from about 1990.
what about this method ?
http://www.mercstuff.com/gimbalringinst.htm

 

[Bondo]

Re: merc. upper steering shaft.

That method works just Fine,....
But only if the tiller arm Only needs to be Tightened.....

To Replace it,..... Ya gotta take it Appart.......

 

[stroyer]

Re: merc. upper steering shaft.

OK...
i did not know that.
i thought that i could replace the axle by loosen the bolts thrugh the holes.
my bad....so i gotta take it Appart.......
thanks for the help.

 

[stroyer]

Re: merc. upper steering shaft.

But only if the tiller arm Only needs to be Tightened
.......

Happy Happy.....
just fixed it.
tighted the bolts on the tillerarm.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: merc. upper steering shaft.

Good deal!......
Keep an eye on all of those bolts at least once a year....​

 

[stroyer]

Re: merc. upper steering shaft.

Good deal!......
Keep an eye on all of those bolts at least once a year....​

I will.. and i secure them with Loctite.
By the way it was a square to square axle.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: merc. upper steering shaft.

I would not put loctite there as it generally needs heat to release....
Just keep an eye on them.....​

 

[stroyer]

Re: merc. upper steering shaft.

OK.
I just keep two eyes on them.