How much play in the gimble is too much?
#1
Gold Member
Gold Member
Thread Starter
How much play in the gimble is too much?
How much gimble play is permissible in a Bravo XR? For example, if I trim up and then pull up on my drive it will move about 1/8 inch maybe a 1/4 inch. Is there a tolerance of 1/4 inch within tolerance and 1/2 inch or more out of tolerance and unsafe?
#2
I think that's way too much. The first boat I bought with an SSMIII had about that much, and that prompted me to go ahead and rebuild the gimbal with SSMIIIA trim pins.
I wouldn't run it with that much play. Ideally, you shouldn't feel any play at all. I say fix it, and don't risk something more expensive breaking, or your boat steering all squirrely.
I wouldn't run it with that much play. Ideally, you shouldn't feel any play at all. I say fix it, and don't risk something more expensive breaking, or your boat steering all squirrely.
#3
Charter Member #601
Charter Member
Keith,
which gimbal do you have? If it is the standard gimbal the hinge pins will unscrew from the helmet and then destroy the threads in the helmet.
If it is the HP unit then I believe there is a bushing in the helmet that the pin rides on. Either way there should be no play in a the drive. I would investigate!! It never seems to get better, only down hill from here.
Dick
which gimbal do you have? If it is the standard gimbal the hinge pins will unscrew from the helmet and then destroy the threads in the helmet.
If it is the HP unit then I believe there is a bushing in the helmet that the pin rides on. Either way there should be no play in a the drive. I would investigate!! It never seems to get better, only down hill from here.
Dick
#4
Are you seeing the play in the gimble pins themselves, or just feeling the play in the drive? You'll get some play just from the trim cyl pins/plastic shim.
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Some people are like Slinkies - Not really good for anything, but they
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#6
Gold Member
Gold Member
Thread Starter
I will pull it out and check it again this weekend. It could be the trim cylinders, never even thought of the looseness being there...
Is the best method to just pull up on it? seems like a buildup of small tolerances from all the trim cylinder assembly stuff could give a false reading. I assume I need two people, one to pull the drive up and down and one to get in close to the gimble and see how much it actually moves. I think a lot of my play is coming from the tolerances in the trim cylinder bushings.
I have 500+ hours and run in salt water, I am sure I will need gimble pins soon.... right?
Is the best method to just pull up on it? seems like a buildup of small tolerances from all the trim cylinder assembly stuff could give a false reading. I assume I need two people, one to pull the drive up and down and one to get in close to the gimble and see how much it actually moves. I think a lot of my play is coming from the tolerances in the trim cylinder bushings.
I have 500+ hours and run in salt water, I am sure I will need gimble pins soon.... right?
#8
Yes, You can just lift up on the drive while someone puts their hand on all the pivot points to feel for the play.
Are you getting any water inside the bilge from around the tiller arm?
Are you getting any water inside the bilge from around the tiller arm?
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Some people are like Slinkies - Not really good for anything, but they
bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
Some people are like Slinkies - Not really good for anything, but they
bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
#10
Registered
I would think thats that's the first place that would be worn is around the upper vertical pin. If it is, then must assess if it's gimble, pin, or helmut.