Steering play HELP!!!!

[SWINDLE]

Hello, I have a Mariah 2007 FS18 with the mercruiser 3.0 in it. If I hold the steering wheel at 12 o clock I can move it to the 11 and 1 o clock positions before I have any movement in the steering is this normal and if not how can I fix this issue????

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Steering play HELP!!!!

Could be the steering system, but more likely the gimbal ring or steering lever. Grab the outdrive and see if you can move it side to side. There should be no play. No play, problem likely in steering system. Side to side play indicates loose or worn gimbal ring or steering lever. this shows how to check http://www.mercstuff.com/gimbalringwear.htm but I would go ahead and retorque the gimbal clamping screws (two bolts on top of gimbal ring) to 55 ft. lb. and see if that tightens things up (should be done anyway). The bolts have nuts on them, so you will have to get a wrench on the backside (9/16 I think). Hopefully that will work. Good luck.