Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

[maproy99]

I was out on the lake towing a tube and I cut back to go the other way and I felt something give way like a click in the steering. Then everything was fine for a few minutes and I realized I was losing my ability to turn right. I headed to my friend's dock on the lake and investigated the problem. I realized I wasn't going to fix it in the water so I headed back to the launch ramp. I was stuck in a constant left turn and could only widen and shorten the turning distance to make it back. Once I got the boat on the trailer I noticed the problem was in the gimbal ring. Here is a diagram. I believe it is a combination of part #26 and part #2. I already took the lower unit off. Anyone have any suggestions on where to go from here? I would upload a picture, but it is impossible to see in the picture.
Here is a picture of the gimbal ring I currently have.
Please Help. :facepalm:

 

[maproy99]

Re: Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

I could really use some help here guys.
Maybe starting with steps to remove the hinge pins? I already pulled the locking nails out.

 

[maproy99]

Re: Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

Photos

 

[Bondo]

Re: Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

I could really use some help here guys.
Maybe starting with steps to remove the hinge pins? I already pulled the locking nails out.

Ayuh,.... Ya now need a slidehammer, 'n a 1/4"-20 bolt to pull the pins...

Are the splines stripped outa the ring,..??

 

[maproy99]

Re: Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

Bondo, I found out it is 1/4-28. I was putting the bolt in by hand to check the thread and I was easily able to pull it out. I believe the splines are partly stripped outta the ring. My thoughts when I get to it are either JB weld the whole ring-spline or attempt to weld it in place on the bottom where I have half an inch gap to make a bond ring-swivel pin. Otherwise it looks like a $700 in parts alone job. Anyone know the metal used in the connection points?

 

[maproy99]

Re: Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

I guess it is a bit less gap then I originally though. You can see in the picture that the very bottem of the teeth are left but above that appears to be stripped out.

I'm thinking the best way may be to weld it, having the boot covered up to protect it. That way I hopefully won't have to take anything else off.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

Ayuh,... That's gonna be a problem to weld,...

The ring is Aluminum, 'n the shaft is steel....

I've tried a few times, 'n ya can't weld aluminum to steel...

A Used transom assembly oughta be able to be bought for $200. or Less...
I'd up-date enough to get the square shaft...

 

[maproy99]

Re: Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

I knew the shaft was steel, didn't realize like 95% of the lower unit was aluminum though. I just had some fun out in my garage with a magnet. I know there are some special materials that can be used to join the 2 and I think I'll go see my local machine shop and see what they think.

 

[maproy99]

Re: Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

The welder there had said that the spot wasn't large enough to do a piece of metal that has aluminum on one side and steel on the other. He did suggest drilling out and screwing right where the spine teeth meet, or drill out a whole straight back through the spline and bolt it together. I have my guide hole drilled all the way back now. Tomorrow will be drilling the main hole out.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

The welder there had said that the spot wasn't large enough to do a piece of metal that has aluminum on one side and steel on the other. He did suggest drilling out and screwing right where the spine teeth meet, or drill out a whole straight back through the spline and bolt it together. I have my guide hole drilled all the way back now. Tomorrow will be drilling the main hole out.

Ayuh,... Get some used parts,.... That's the steering, 'n everything else...

Yer micky mouse cob job could kill or injure somebody,... maybe You....

You drill through that, 'n you reduce it's strength by 75%....

 

[maproy99]

Re: Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

I've been out on a lake 2x now with no - very little steering. Didn't get close to killing or injuring anyone. Unless nausea counts. I would really like to do it with the correct parts, it is just so hard to find them for a 1975 boat and they are costly for what you get. I don't want to make a repair that exceeds the value of the boat. -My time has worth too.
I had checked with the small drill bit and everything seemed to be working as planned.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

Oky Doky,.. I'm done here...

 

[maproy99]

Re: Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

Oky Doky,.. I'm done here...

Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[Pete104]

Re: Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

Don't consider drilling or any short cuts!!!

If you do your:facepalm:

 

[maproy99]

Re: Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

If it was suggested by someone who has YEARS of experience repairing stuff, I'm willing to give it a try. If anything appears unsafe with it, I'm just going to throw out my work anyway. I would rather waste 2 hours then waste $400 and many more hours. My testing was going to be cranking the wheel back in forth while having 2 people hold the lower unit in place. If I can't break it while trying on land, I'll try it in the water. My local lake is somewhat wide and completely empty during weekday evenings. I was going to have my friend come along with my pwc in case I have to get towed in. The lower unit has a tendency to go straight if already straight and the skeg is adjusted right. Not like I'm suddenly going to be veering right or left or anything.

 

[Part-time]

Re: Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

Have you searched for parts or just guessing they would be hard to locate because of the year???
There are countless hulls sitting around that people would love to give away just to get rid of for free...
The motors blow, or up north they don't get winterized properly and crack blocks.
The outdrives get smashed... But the transom assemblies, gimbal ring and bell housing are most always there.

 

[maproy99]

Re: Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

I have spent quite a few hours of searching and have found 1 matching part that is used for $460 in worse shape my unit is in minus the steering issue. How long till it happens again? I wish people took the gimbal rings off and sold them, but that isn't the case, usually they keep the lower unit if anything and the gimbal ring goes to the land fill still in the boat hull.

 

[maproy99]

Re: Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

Plenty of non compatible units though!

 

[maproy99]

Re: Lost Steering on old Mercruiser gimbal ring

Ok, spent more time and still not finding anything. I challenge anyone who wants to complain about my repair to find a new or good quality used gimbal ring from pre alpha 1964-1975 with spline type (not square) steering connection and the spindle at a decent price. Good luck, I could use the parts!