johnboyz85
Member
johnboyz85 I have some major play in outdrive. Can move wheel 3in. bafore drive moves. Im gonna go to full external but have a problem . Alpha / 475hp big block in a 85 senator. Any advice would be great.
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loose steering
- Thread starter johnboyz85
- Start date
johnboyz85
Member
johnboyz85 I have some major play in outdrive. Can move wheel 3in. bafore drive moves. Im gonna go to full external but have a problem . Alpha / 475hp big block in a 85 senator. Any advice would be great.
johnboyz85
Member
The alpha is holding up just fine . My senator is a pretty light boat. I just cant find a external set up for a Alpha .The Drive ratio being a 1.30 makes it a little stronger . Plus less drag with this drive verse bravo = more speed.
I also have a problem with loose steering on my 1980 enchanter with a strocked 350 with over 400hp and added a marine machine external hydraulic steering arm which got rid of 75 percent of the slop but still think the gimbal is worn even though my local mechanic says no, here is a pic of it . hope this helps.
johnboyz85
Member
Hey mad max is that a add on steering or a full external to the wheel.Also is that a Alpha set up u got there .
daren34
Member
does the boat feel loose at speed?
the drive will move a lot on the trailer with out the motor running
the power steering takes up most of this and it is normal
unless you have worn parts why would you change it?
what you need to check is if the tiller will move without the drive moving
if the tiller is tight with the drive the power steering cyl may be worn some but remember that this is a sliding ball to direct fluid for assist when you turn but it also keeps everything tight with the motor running
i can't imagine needing external steering till you get in the 80's
hope this helps daren
the drive will move a lot on the trailer with out the motor running
the power steering takes up most of this and it is normal
unless you have worn parts why would you change it?
what you need to check is if the tiller will move without the drive moving
if the tiller is tight with the drive the power steering cyl may be worn some but remember that this is a sliding ball to direct fluid for assist when you turn but it also keeps everything tight with the motor running
i can't imagine needing external steering till you get in the 80's
hope this helps daren
daren34
Member
have you checked the cable is it tight with the helm?
daren
if the tiller is bad the drive and gimbal housing has to come off to fix it
go to http://www.mercruiserparts.com to get a breakdown of the transom plate
daren
daren
if the tiller is bad the drive and gimbal housing has to come off to fix it
go to http://www.mercruiserparts.com to get a breakdown of the transom plate
daren
it is an alpha and it is an add on that took the place of the internal cylinder, the boat has gone over 80, before i added this you could move the drive back and forth more than normal as far as the tiller i am not sure yet but if you can turn the wheel a few inches before the drive moves, i need to get into it this winter and get rid of the play as it gets kinda squirlly at 80 the way it is, i have a feeling the problem is the tiller arm ar gimbal or both but the boat has less than 400 hrs on it could it be that worn out?
happy
Active member
sounds to me like the swivel shaft is worn out a bit... it rides in the gimbal ring, as well as the steering arm.. any one or all of these parts can be suspect.
the easy way to check this is to pull the pin at the steering lever.. have someone hold the drive on the outside and move the steering lever back and forth.. if you have slop you'll feel it. (note) if you have hydraulic steering you'll have to pull the ram off the drive to check this.
the easy way to check this is to pull the pin at the steering lever.. have someone hold the drive on the outside and move the steering lever back and forth.. if you have slop you'll feel it. (note) if you have hydraulic steering you'll have to pull the ram off the drive to check this.
Eriktheviking
Member
I'm sure the tiller arm is loose.I,ve had to tighten two myself.If it's never been tightened before you'll have to get a kit from mercrusier.You drill two large holes in the upper transom housing and they give you access to the nut and bolt that need to be tightened.Its only gonna get worse..so git-r-done..