messing with shift cables and boots and i move gimball ring. about 10 degrees slop side-side. maybe a lil more. square steering pins loose in the gimball ring-both drives. there are 2 bolts on top of the ring either side of the pin.can these be tightened? that much? thanks.

The torque on the upper clamp bolts is 25 ftlbs and are a common area to loosen. I'm not sure that gets you where you need to go.....The tiller arm is commonly loose inside the housing with the two dimples at top of housing used to drill access holes to remove and replace arm via locknut removal (not sure if thats what you are referring too...)

Lane

this is enough play between the square pin and the gimball ring that i could hammer a wood chisel into the gap to shim it. it woulda been nice if merc built these so they could be serviced without removing everything from the boat...25 ft lbs? that's why i stopped tightening when i got no change and asked...

Bummer...my drives seem to be ok there..but have needed the arm fix....sorry to hear that...I've seen a few posts here over the years regarding broken clamp bolts .