Pivot Housing doesn't center in the gimbal ring

[evrk1]

Hi , I'm new to this, but definately need some help. I bought project boat that has become a money pit. So far installed a new long block and repaired the trim motor, sea water pump, replaced carb, both exhaust manifolds and the list goe's on. Anyway the boat has a Volvo Penta SX-M 1.6 stern drive unit. The original gimbal ring was broken on the left side - the side plate that keeps the drive straight. So I bought a used gimbal ring and installed it today. Everything went well until I tried to install the drive unit onto the pivot housing. I noticed that the plastic pad on the side of the lower unit would not clear the left side of the gimbal ring side plate - probably why the last one broke. I can't seem to get the pivot housing centered in the gimbal ring with equal space on both sides so the lower unit will fit as it should. has anyone ever had this problem and what do you think couuld be the problem. It seems when I install the pivot bolts it wants to shift the pivot housing to the left side so that the housing is almost tight to the left side of the gimbal ring side plate. the other side has about 1/4 inch clearance. I measured the space between the side plates on the gimbal ring and they measure about the same distance as the wear pads on the lower unit, but it should fit between the side plates. Somehow I need to get the pivot housing to center in the gimbal ring, so it will fit together. I took pictures but don't know how to put them on here. Can anyone help me out. Thanks

 

[dypcdiver]

Re: Pivot Housing doesn't center in the gimbal ring

Sounds as if at some time the out drive has had a severe knock and things have got bent. Has the boat ever fallen off the trailer or hit something going astern. There are some Tuffnol/Nylon bearings in the gimbal ring where the piviot pins pass through which could be damaged, or even the vertical steering bearings and or their mounts.
Check for the "7743008 SX DP-S drives.pdf" manual in the ADULTS SECTION at the top of the forum. best of luck

 

[evrk1]

Re: Pivot Housing doesn't center in the gimbal ring

I don't know any of the history on this boat and the auto dealer I bought it from is no help. The only thing I know is that the boat has been badly neglected. today I took a 1inch diameter piece of stainless steel and ran it through the gimbel ring from one side to the other - just checking for alignment of the two bearings one on each side and it seemed to line up , so I'm assuming that the gimbal ring is alright. then I looked at the pivot housing and put the pivot screws in and one of those did not look right - kind of at an angle. i'm thinking this thing took some kind of hit and bent the pivot housing and broke the gimbal ring. I have located a couple housings for around $700, this boat is killing me. I need to find a used pivot housing - any ideas? Am I missing something. I took a straight edge an dplaced it on the pivot boat thrust faces an dthen measured to the side of the housing on each side and there does seem to be a correlation with one side have a shorter distance between the straight edge and the housing - so I guess I have to assume the housing is bent. I would just like to be sure before I lay out another $700. I would appreciate any thoughts on this subject. Like how to check the housing out. Thanks

 

[dypcdiver]

Re: Pivot Housing doesn't center in the gimbal ring

I think the clue is in your original post,

"when I install the pivot bolts it wants to shift the pivot housing to the left side so that the housing is almost tight to the left side of the gimbal ring side plate. the other side has about 1/4 inch clearance"

There should only be approx 1/32" on each side, just enough to get a nylon washer in! In fact with the washer in place it is an interference fit.
If it was me I would rather than spend $700, try and straighten the ear/ears that are bent.
Using the 6 studs that mount the lower unit to the Pivot housing I would find some steel plate and drill it to fit so that the pivot housing can be mounted securely to it. Using a try square against the steel plate I would see if one or both the ears are bent. A long bolt with heavy washers could be passed through the ear and used to persuade the alloy to bend, a length of tube on the bolt might be needed.
I know I'll get some flack for this but 1/4" is not a lot to straighten and I would not expect the alloy to crack, but keep an eye on it. Failing that if you don't feel confident a local machine shop I'm sure could "fix" it, and if all fails you might just have to pay out the $700. Best of luck.