Slight play side to side in outdrive?

[muskie hunter]

I have a 1996 7.4 bravo II. I noticed about 1/4" of play in the outdrive. I can move the outdrive left to right. Is this something to worry about or is this much play about right.

Thanks Steve

 

[Bondo]

Re: Slight play side to side in outdrive?

You probably should check the torque on the bolts/nuts holding the upper swivel pin..........

Those are known to loosen,+ cause the gimbel ring to get wallowed out........

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Slight play side to side in outdrive?

Ayuh......
You should read this:.......
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=226847&highlight=corrosion
​

 

[muskie hunter]

Re: Slight play side to side in outdrive?

Ayuh......
You should read this:.......
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=226847&highlight=corrosion
​

Ok I read over the post, what is your speculation on the slight movement? The boat has 140 hrs on it seems to run and shift well. Also it doesnt leak lower unit fluid.

Thanks Steve

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Slight play side to side in outdrive?

It's like Bondo says.....
You need to tighten the bolts.....
The B3 is prone to this if you don't stay on top of it......
Here is another thread you should read.....
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=188970&highlight=bravo+gimbal+ring​

 

[muskie hunter]

Re: Slight play side to side in outdrive?

It's like Bondo says.....
You need to tighten the bolts.....
The B3 is prone to this if you don't stay on top of it......​

I will look in my manual to find the bolts. My lower unit is a Bravo 2. Are they also prone to this.

Thanks Steve

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Slight play side to side in outdrive?

Yes.....
It is the two bolts on top of the gimbal ring, torque them to 40#.....
I guess I could have just said that instead of making you do all of that reading.......:redface:
You should check them a couple times a year, they are prone to loosening....​

 

[Bondo]

Re: Slight play side to side in outdrive?

Ayuh,..........

And,.......
All of the Bravos use the Same transom assembley,........
So it doesn't really matter Which model you have.......

 

[muskie hunter]

Re: Slight play side to side in outdrive?

Yes.....
It is the two bolts on top of the gimbal ring, torque them to 40#.....
I guess I could have just said that instead of making you do all of that reading.......:redface:
You should check them a couple times a year, they are prone to loosening....​

Thanks so much! If the bolts are located at 12:00 on top of the gibal ring, how does this enable play horizontally on the lower unit. I would have thought that the pins located at 3:00 and 9:00 would allow horizontal movement and pins or bolts located at 12:00 and 6:00 would allow verticle play???

Disreguard the above post. I looked at the gimbal ring closer and found that it functions on a square hole that wallows out and the bolts simply pinch the square tighter. Heck.... no wonder they have problems with them. Steve..

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Slight play side to side in outdrive?

Yep, it's an odd way to do it, but that's the way it's been for a long time.
Loosen the nuts first, but don't take them off. Then spray your favorite spray type lube back into that area (WD40 type stuff). Then when you retorque you'll have to go higher than 40lbs, more like 50. 55 maybe if it's getting worn real bad.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Slight play side to side in outdrive?

Yep, it's an odd way to do it, but that's the way it's been for a long time.

Ayuh,........

It's still Awhole Lot Better than the splined shaft it replaced....................