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?

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.

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

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.

Keith I'm guessing your lower pin and bushing are wore out like mine are it's a fix you can do yourself. Fix it before something else wears out.

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?

Replace them.Small price to pay for Safety. If one goes at speed cant be good. I ordered to sets out of NJ for like 2K each. Of course my motors were OUT at the time.

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?

Keith,

Let me know if you need a hand,

Rick

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.:drink: