Outdrive swaying...on low speed..?

[frustratedboater]

Greetings all,
Need help on this one! I have an outdrive that, under high speed, operates 'normally', when you slow it down to 5mph (no wake zone), the outdrive kind of swaggs, or 'fishtails' back and forth. Everything looks good and no apparent breaks or cracks. When the boat is on the trailer, if I pick up the skeg, as if to tilt the drive up, it is rock solid, but back and forth, it has about a foot of play in it.

What could be causing the fishtailing on slow speed?

~FB~

 

[ziggy]

Re: Outdrive swaying...on low speed..?

is it a v hull. swaying at low speed is normal.
a foot of travel of free play in the drive is not. i don't know nothing of replacing these pivots top and bottom of the gimble houseing. but i'd venure yer gonna be real deep into it... better have a service manual and listen to the gurus on this.... should probably let us in on what it is yer working on though..... everyone likes to know that..... gives ya better feedback too....

 

[frustratedboater]

Re: Outdrive swaying...on low speed..?

The boat is a 22' Cuddy cabin, Wellcraft, 95 to 97, Bravo Drive...the typical setup. I need specific info from the customer and will post this tomorrow. The strange thing is that mine sways a little, but not to the extent he is saying it does.

I am going to take a peek at Tuesday afternoon. I'd appreciate any suggestions you may have on this. Where should I look? Does this sound like anything that's happened before? I appreciate it,

~FB~

 

[achris]

Re: Outdrive swaying...on low speed..?

If it were an Alpha drive I would have said steering shaft and lever worn, but I don't have enough time on the Bravos to know if they suffer the same problem...

Chris...........

 

[frustratedboater]

Re: Outdrive swaying...on low speed..?

Actually, I am 'assuming' that it's a bravo... It could be a few years older and have the Alfa I. I'm going to get all to info this afternoon and post it. I'd like to get some opinions on this, as I was told, there's nothing visably wrong, but just the swaying problem. Any advise on where to test or look?

Thanks always,
~FB~

 

[Maclin]

Re: Outdrive swaying...on low speed..?

FrustratedBoater,

From just the way your posts is worded I thought I should add this... Alphas were not replaced by Bravos. Alpha went to Gen II some time in there, and Bravos came along to handle more power and to offer a dual prop setup as an option.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Outdrive swaying...on low speed..?

Could be chining. That is where the hull is not on plane and water is pushing the hull back and forth.

Hard to go in a straight line. Have to keep cutting the wheel back and forth.

Perfectly normal.

 

[frustratedboater]

Re: Outdrive swaying...on low speed..?

Thank you... After looking at the boat today, it is an 89' Wellcraft, 5.7 engine, with an Alfa drive. Sorry, my error. I truly believe that the issue is coming from the hydraulic steering and not the drive. As the outdrive is pushed from left to right, I saw the shaft (steering cable rod) go in and out of the cylinder a good 5-6 inches. When the drive on my other boat was pushed, there was a stiff resistance, and the steering wheel turned as it turned.

Are there any seals, or 'O' rings, that could be defective allowing this to have a "sloppy" action to it? Is there a way to disconnect the cylinder rod and test the unit? What should I look for? What should not happen (too look for)? Any advice on this would of course be welcomed!! I am not ruling out anything,

~FB~

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Outdrive swaying...on low speed..?

Oh i misunderstood. Rack and pinion steering. Might have to replace the steering cable.

About 100 bucks.

When you turn the wheel it turns a gear in turn slides a rack with teeth that moves a cable all one piece.

Get the right length will be marked on the cable. Or bring the old one with you and lay it on the floor next to each other.

 

[frustratedboater]

Re: Outdrive swaying...on low speed..?

All,
It's kind of strange.. While the drive was pushed from side to side, the shaft came in and out of the hydraulic rack and pinion....thing. The cable is possible, but is there a way to test the rack and pinion, to see if it is not slipping? I think, (think) that my problem rests in either the cable or a defective rack and pinion. Any thoughts on how to testing it?

~FB~