Play in DP-E steering forks

[Scanman1973]

Hi All,

This past season I had to replace the bushings and seals between the steering fork and the control arm on my DP-E outdrive. I just had the boat pulled for the winter and when I took the outdrive off to bring inside (don't know why I did really) there is play in the steering forks. I remember putting the forks back in the transom shield, it was really tight, I don't know why there is play in it now. It is a jack shaft setup, so I have access to the back of the drive when I remove my livewell. Is this OK, and if so how much play is OK?

Thank you,
Andy

 

[Don S]

Re: Play in DP-E steering forks

The transom shield around the bushings are worn/deformed a bit, allowing the movement. Some have had success using epoxy to fill the gap between the bushing and the transom shield.
It doesn't take much of a gap to create a lot of play.
Just put a thin coat of epoxy on the transom shield bore and the bushing and push the bushing into place. Quickly wipe off any excess epoxy, and put the steering fork in. Wax what you don't want the epoxy to stick to. Let the epoxy cure overnight, even if 5 minute epoxy but you would do better with 30 minute minimum.

 

[Scanman1973]

Re: Play in DP-E steering forks

Thanks Don. So I need to pull the shield and forks again then epoxy the bushings in? It was all tight about 2 months ago when I changed the bushings. I did have to use a lot of force to get the forks out/in when I changed the bushings, could this have deformed the shield?

 

[Don S]

Re: Play in DP-E steering forks

You don't have to pull the transom shield, just the fork. With the upper gear box off the outdrive, there is plenty of room to lower the fork and get to the bushings.