shimy/shake

[dhoptay]

just wondering if anyone knows if there is supposed to be a bushing or some sort of sleeve on the end of my steering linkage were it connects to the steering arm. the reason i ask is that there seem to be alot of play at that location. the problem i have is at low speed i have what feels like a shimy in my steering and you can feel it in the boat not so much at WOT. it feels like the outdrive is wagging like a dogs tail. i have an 18' searay seville 120 gm inline with alpha 1 drive. i have a 4 blade composite prop which is adjustable from 15 to 21 the same shimy thru all adjustment ranges. any ideas?

 

[Boomyal]

Re: shimy/shake

I'd check the prop shaft. You could have a good prop with a bent shaft and you would get those symptoms.<br /><br />I would also try a good fixed pitch prop just in case.

 

[dhoptay]

Re: shimy/shake

would need to run without prop to check, correct?

 

[rbezdon]

Re: shimy/shake

No, prop shaft runout is checked with a measuring device and hand rotated with the prop off. I check mine is a rough way by just putting the outdrive in neutral and spinning the prop and watching the center for ANY (even slight) indications of wobble (rotation off center). Granted, this will only indicate fairly gross runout conditions but its a start. The best way is to measure it and I would suggest you get a shop to do it as the runout gauge is not a common household tool.

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: shimy/shake

Your drive might have worn hinge pins at the gimble ring, give the drive a shake side to side and also pull up on the skeg, there should be no play if so that could cause the drive to flop about and can be felt in the steering at low speeds. Slop in the drive can also be dangerous at high speeds also.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: shimy/shake

You don't say what year you have, but have you tightened the bolts where the steering arm attaches to the gimbal ring? They are the two bolts that are at the top of the outside transom assembly[newer models] or inside the the two hex-headed caps {older models]......JK

 

[dhoptay]

Re: shimy/shake

thanks NORTHERN ECLIPSE the hinge pins make sense i'll check them. if i have side to side but no up or down most likely the hinge pins and not the swivel pins on the gimbal housing, right? also <br />KOPEC thanks it's a 1983 searay