I have Bravo 1 outdrives and running on plane I have lots of play in the steering. It does not have hydraulic steering. I plan to change it over to a full hydraulic system during the winter. If I need to change out gimbals will I need to remove the engines to change out the gimbals? Is there any scenario that I will have to remove the engines to repair, replace or fix the gimbals or other components associated with them?

It can be done with the Gimbal in using the JR Marine method. Did mine this spring. They are great folks and have everything you'll need, and can repair your old gimbal.

http://www.jrmarine.com/instructions.htm

Is there any reason that I would need to remove engines to make this kind of repair or any other repair that has to do with the factory steering or Gimbal?

DOH! My statement should have said "It can be done with the engine in"...

There is no need to pull the engine using the JR method.

Thanks!

Some people like to remove the engine and transom assembley because they do not want to drill holes.

I have done it both ways. My own personel boat, I use the JRMarine method. If do a search this topic has been covered alot in the last two weeks. I even have pictures posted of how to do it.

Here you go:

http://www.jrmarine.com/videos.htm