Loose steering arm on a Bravo 1...how do you tighten this thing?
 

Noticed that the steering arm has play at the pin on the starboard drive. The pin also has play at the gimbal ring.

The drives are tied together externally by a steering shaft.

How can I eliminate this play? I can't even see the steering arm bolt! What about the u-bolt through the gimbal ring? Can this be tightened as well?

Thanks,

Greg

The u-bolt can be tightened. I don't have the torque spec though. The tiller arm is a bit more difficult. Essentially you have to do the difficult part of replacing a gimbal ring. Mercruiser sells a plug kit to plug holes that are needed in the sides of the gimbal housing to access the bolts. There is an alternate method that sounds faster and easier of cutting the back of the gimbal housing and replacing it with a plate when you are done, or the engine has to come out.

Rene

They torque on they u bolt is low 25 ft/lbs. If your steering is loose you must have a lot of up and down play in your gimble. Like Rene said you need to replace your gimble ring. The upper swivel shaft is steel and the gimble is aluminum. Ultimately you might tighten the steering arm but the gimble will not. Also as the gimble loosens up it lowers putting more and more stress on your coupling hub.
Jim

by the time the gimble gets loose enough to notice it's to late for the u-bolt, the gimble will need to be replace, repalace the steering shaft seal to while you are there, get the plug kit from merc, it comes with plugs and a new nut that is designed to be put ou with a punch, the hardest part is drilling the holes.
larry

If its original and the boat is an 1988 it is probably time.

I did it this winter and its not a bad job. Do a search for Gimble Ring Repair. I posted pictures of each step.

It can easily be done in 8 hours and a $1,000+ dollars.:eek:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=156512

i'm with bigjim. i'm a relative newbie when it comes to i/o's , but i used ron benders kit and it was a home run. the bender kit gives you plenty of room to work as opposed to the merc way. replace those worn parts, before it gives way under speed.