play in side to side movement of out drive

[smoss]

i have a 1978 ebbtide with mercruiser 140. in the past when you turn either way hard, the boat has a vibration and makes alot of noise like a raddle. reading some other questions by boaters in forums i checked the side to side play of lower unit and found quite a bit of play. who has the best manual for this job and wheredo i start.

 

[Laddies]

Re: play in side to side movement of out drive

Start with the manual. You can't beat the one from Mercury

 

[45Auto]

Re: play in side to side movement of out drive

Best manuals are the factory Merc manuals. You can download them here:

http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/sisdata/srvcovr.pdf

You probably need #3 and #4. They are great big files, probably take a while for them to load. Sounds like it might be time for some u-joints and possibly some gimbal ring and shaft repair, if the steering play isn't in the cable or the rack at the wheel.

 

[achris]

Re: play in side to side movement of out drive

Most of the time in an engine of that vintage it will be the gimbal ring and steering shaft. You have a splined upper gimbal ring shaft and the splines flog out. The splined shafts are no longer available. Mercury changed the design to a square shaft. The kit includes the gimbal ring, a square upper shaft and a new steering arm. I would also recommend you get a new bellows when you do the job. The part number for the gimbal ring kit is -88302A1, and it's not cheap. "www.mercruiserparts.com have them for $468.

Cheers,

Chris..........

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: play in side to side movement of out drive

Welcome to iboats.....
What Achris said....
Or you can look on ebay for a vintage gimbal housing from that era.....
There are alot of low hour, fresh water ones that turn up there....​