Is this fuel filter safe?

[stonyloam]

Retorqued the gimbal ring clamping screws to 55 ft lb. (annually)

 

[bruceb58]

I had a drive that slid on and off very easily. Was WAY out of alignment!

I used to be in the "if it slides on and off it's ok" group but not since then. Couplers are expensive and you have to take the engine off to change them.

 

[achris]

Retorqued the gimbal ring clamping screws to 55 ft lb. (annually)

Yep, knew there'd be a few I missed. :facepalm:

I had a drive that slid on and off very easily. Was WAY out of alignment!

+1. Drive going on and off easily is NOT an alignment check. You must use the tool, and it must be checked at least annually (when all the rest of the stuff is done)...

 

[RaceCarRich]

Thanks.

With regards to the gimbal clamping screws, I did some digging to see what to do and seems to be some mixed opinions and a lot of stories of people breaking stuff when retorquing. I don't want to cause a problem. Since I don't perceive any steering play and it's never been done before, should I leave it alone?

http://www.sterndrives.com/steering_play.html

 

[RaceCarRich]

Quote from the link.
"These bolts where torqued to 50-55 ft pounds when the unit was first assembled. It helped the gimbal ring clamp-down tightly on the upper steering shaft.

The ONLY time these bolts should ever be torqued is when the gimbal ring is new and it is being installed for the first time."

 

[stonyloam]

Quote From the Mercruiser Factory Manual: Every 100 hours or once yearly: "Gimbal Ring Clamping Screws - Retorque to 50-55 ft. Lb." that site is one of my pet peeves. I read that and since I had play in my ring, I pulled it and sent it in to JR Marine for a rebuild. They sent it back and said it was just fine. Stuck it back in, torqued it down (and retorque it every spring) and it has been rock solid ever since.

 

[achris]

"Re-torque".... Interesting word, and most people don't know how to 're-torque' correctly. Most people just put a torque wrench on it and turn until the wrench reaches 55 lb-ft. WRONG! Very often the bolt will be very slightly siezed, and the 'breakaway' torque is much higher than the actual tension on the bolt. To correctly 're-torque', the bolt should be slightly loosened first, THEN torqued to the spec.

Chris......

 

[RaceCarRich]

I wonder why stern drive dotcom would say that and with such emphasis.

In any case, the one thing I'm still trying to figure is how to grease the swivel pin.

 

[stonyloam]

I wonder why stern drive dotcom would say that and with such emphasis.

In any case, the one thing I'm still trying to figure is how to grease the swivel pin.

If your ring is really worn and very loose it can crack, and they would like to sell you a new one. The way it gets worn and rounds out is if the screws get loose, so if you keep them tight you should never have a problem. This is probably one of the most neglected annual maintenance items.

If you have a Alpha Gen II (post 91) you can't. The Alpha outdrives with greasable swivel pins have a fitting on the upper gimbal housing, and the lower starboard side of the gimbal ring.

 

[RaceCarRich]

It's gen 2.

Thanks everyone.

 

[stonyloam]

bt doctur has a thread on adding a grease fitting for the upper swivel pin, but I could not find it.