Outdrive side to side play
 

I'm looking at a 2001 hammer and noticed when pushing outdrive left and right there is play side to side. Waiting for owner to see if it's moving the steering or not. How much is normal? Off subject it has a 23P Mirage 3Bld prop so I would think WOT is about 60- 68mph depending if its a HO-Magnum BBC and if it can turn a 25P for the HO-Magnum

Some play is normal. The swivel pin is steel, and the gimbal ring is aluminum. The square bore can wear if not kept tight. There is a large U- bolt that should keep them tightly together. Some guys say to tighten those nuts a tad after every season.

However- if there is wear, and you tighten the U-bolt nuts agressively, you will crack the cast aluminum gimbal ring. Ask me how I know. Lol.

In any case, I had my worn gimbal ring welded up in the square bore, filed it to size, and it worked perfectly.

Come to think of it, I think Merc reduced the torque figures for those U-bolt nuts over the years....

Is it cable or hydraulc steering?

Normal play up/down or side/side is NONE.

Decided to pass...