steering lever - tiller bolt replacement

[pocoloco]

Engine: Mercruiser 1998, 4.3L 190HP<br />Boat: maxum 1900<br /><br />Problem: Have some slop in the steering, the outdrive freely moves about 10° to either side, causing the boat to wander from side to side at slow/idle speed.<br /><br />Solution: I identified that I can move the steering lever when the outdrive if held firm (dug it onto the lawn whilst on trailer and removed the pin that conects to power steering). Either the lever or the tiller arm shaft have been beaten out or they are simply loose. These are the parts I mean <br /> http://bpi.ebasicpower.com/Merchant...r&Product_Code=MER94991A1&Category_Code=MER2E <br /><br />Question:<br />1.) Is this something the average handyman with good skills can repair/install? The mercruiser handbook describes a way by drilling into the gimbal housing to access the lever, don't think the lever can be removed...? Not a good description in that book....<br />2.) Have the job done at the local marine. Any idea of what costs to expect? How would they fix this?<br /><br />Any help/ideas greatly appreciated! =)

 

[I/O WALDO]

Re: steering lever - tiller bolt replacement

REAL pain ! takes about the same amount of time to remove the transom housing than to use the drill-holes method!Usually,the wear point is the gimbal ring,knot the pin or lever.Did U try torquing the 2 chinch bolts to 75lbs yet?

 

[Bondo]

Re: steering lever - tiller bolt replacement

Ayuh,...........<br /><br />I just Pulled the Engine,+ Drive to fix it.......<br /><br />BTW,....... Waldo is Right,....... I Doubt it's the Pin,... Or the Tiller Arm.......

 

[JIm Cook]

Re: steering lever - tiller bolt replacement

Pocoloco, if you do find out it needs the swivel<br />shaft and arm, you might make sure of which type <br />you have on your drive. The link you listed shows<br />a splined type. I think a 98 model has a square<br />pin. At basicpowers web site click on <br />"transom assembly parts for merc" and then<br />"shift assemblt parts for merc"

 

[pocoloco]

Re: steering lever - tiller bolt replacement

thanks for all your recommendations...<br />If I pull the whole outdrive assembly off... What do I need to be particalr attention to. What do I need to do and what parts do I need? do I have to dissamble the drive and buy new shims and reseal the outdrive components?<br /><br />thanks for more tips!!

 

[pocoloco]

Re: steering lever - tiller bolt replacement

PS I will check re-torquing the two screws on the outdrive, that "clamp" the assembly together.

 

[I/O WALDO]

Re: steering lever - tiller bolt replacement

Just remove the outdrive as a unit,remove the engine,remove the transom assembly,remove trim senders,remove pivot pins,remove bellhousing,remove lower pivot pin,loosen 2 bolts on top gimbal ring,loosen and remove steering lever.remove shaft & gimbal ring!See! nuttin to it butt to do it!You should be able to find a machine shop to build up and machine down the worn part of the 1000$ gimbal ring(aluminum)The steel shaft should be fine!Have fun!!(ps,watch 4 small parts,gaskets,shims at top of g.ring)

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: steering lever - tiller bolt replacement

I agree with Jim Cook....If your drive is a 98, you should have the square gimbal ring shaft....<br />Tighten the two bolts on top of the transom shield to about 40# I believe......<br />Mercruiser manual #6 will have the exact torque value.....JK

 

[I/O WALDO]

Re: steering lever - tiller bolt replacement

yep! hazza square shaft into a square gimbal ring with a pair of 3/8 bolts that pinch the shaft.UNLESS the bolts have been torqued each year on a drive that actually gets any REAL hrs. on it,the ring will slop-out to the point that even 75lbs (thats just short or the break point of these ss.,grade 5 bolts)there is still excessive play(any)in the assembly.