theadamv1

I have a Formula 311 with TRS drives and have noticed some play in the starboard side drive. Up & down movement when i lift up on the drive. Does anyone have any suggestions on what is involved in repairing this. And what is a good manual to buy for the TRS drives. More intrested in information in a manual that does not focus on all the internals of the drives, as i would not even attempt to open one of them up after hearing of all the special tools & complezx set up of them.

picklenjim

Is the gimble ring moving up and down on the top and bottom shafts? If so that is adjusted on the upper swivel shaft. You must loosen the bolt and nut (#18 and#19) on the steering lever (#16). Then you tighten the nut (#17) on top of the swivel shaft to obtain .005" to .007" clearence outside between the gimble ring and gimble housing. Tightening the nut will lift up on the gimble ring reducing the up and down play. Best manual that shows the entire procedure would be the Mercruiser Service Manual #5.
http://www.perfprotech.com/store/ass...ER,986-20.aspx

theadamv1

Thanks Jim, appericiate the helpful info. I will take a closer look at it tonight & order that manual.

rufusgrouse

The swivel shaft on the tr/trs has a reglar habit of the lower shoulder on the swivel pin "eating" its way upward into the steering yoke. If excess steering play has been "prolonged" it is inevitable. If that is the case; the steering yoke will not be salvageable, and Jim is quite correct when he states that the upper clearance should be .005-.007. "Any" gap greater than that affects the ujoints, and a rather large "bang" can be expected when the ujoints self-destruct. In all probability taking your entire gimble housing out in the process. I have seen dozens of instances where the drive gear in the upper drive shaft housing was force through the aft cover also. Granted; a worst case scenario.....but possible. Better fix it first.

Panther

exactly what picklejim said...but if you're in the field and don't have a feeler gauge.... tighen it up slowly until there's almost no up/down play. The .005/.007 margin the manual calls for is so slim that it basically means tighen it up but not so tight to where it binds...

if you've never done it before, just follow the manuals proceedure.

theadamv1

Thanks for all the great information. I am going to order the manual. From the sounds of it it is a pretty straight foward repair. Just hoping that there is no extensive damage to anything. I am not sure how long it has been this wey. I just bought the boat last Oct and last summer was the 1st summer i used it..