Side to Side Movement in loewr unit??

[bigd652]

I have an 87 Fourwinns 190 Horizon with the 4.3 Mercruiser and alpha 1 outdrive. I can move the lower unit by hand a few inches either way when its out of the water and the steering is loose when in the water, Boat always wants to move back on fourth. The boat has power steering and its full. Is this normal on an older boat? What should i be looking for? Is this a sign of a much larger problem? Thanks for any and all help with this.

Derick

 

[45Auto]

Re: Side to Side Movement in loewr unit??

The play in your drive is usually a sign of a worn gimbal ring on an older boat. Changing a gimbal ring is considered a major operation by most people, it'll typically cost you several thousand dollars to have a dealer do it.

If you look towards the top of your gimbal ring (#1 in the diagram) from below, you will see the bottom of the gimbal pin (#14 in the diagram). Move your drive back and forth by hand and you should not see any play between the gimbal pin and the gimbal ring. Any play at all means that the steel pin has worn the aluminum gimbal ring. Any wear at all at the pin translates into a lot of back and forth movement at the end of the outdrive. If the gimbal pin doesn't move when you wiggle the drive, but your gimbal ring and drive do, then you need a new gimbal ring.

Red arrow is pointing to the bottom of the gimbal pin (kind of hard to see) in the pic below. This is a pic of a Bravo gimbal ring, Alpha will look the same except the nuts will be bolt heads (Bravo uses a U-bolt):

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Side to Side Movement in loewr unit??

Had the same problem. The first thing you should do: Retorque the two bolts (#20 in the illustration) to 55 ft lb. These are bolts with nuts, so you will need to get a wrench on the back side. This should be done as part of the annual maintenance. Worked for me. If this does not help.... as .45 suggests, worn ring or worn steering arm, both a PITA.

BTW I have exactly the same boat, except 470...LOVE it!

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Side to Side Movement in loewr unit??

If it truly is worn out, then I would not suggest changing the gimbal ring, but simply replacing the entire transom assembly. Not only is that an easier option, but usually turns out to be cheaper anyway. If you are patient, you can pick up a good used transom assembly for very little money.

That's IF it is worn out of course.

 

[jtybt]

Re: Side to Side Movement in loewr unit??

As stony said, first check the bolts. Newer ones are big 'U' bolts but not very large diameter and can be stripped. they also can get frozen from salt and break off so be careful.

There are places online that repair gimbal rings. Heck of a lot cheaper than any other option. Used parts are an unknown quantity as to servicability.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Side to Side Movement in loewr unit??

Newer ones are big 'U' bolts but not very large diameter and can be stripped......

There are places online that repair gimbal rings.....

I think that is just the Bravos (in photo), I think all of the Alphas have bolts.

JR Marine in Ohio rebuilds them.