excessive "play" for a trs drive ?
 

Good evening.i just bought my first performance boat.it is an 88 cigarette top gun 38.engines are basic carbeurated 454's at about 420 hp each.nice clean boat but I am not sure if this is a problem although I suspect it is. Boat is on the trailer.with the drives all the way down, I can physically pick up on the drive & lift the bottom up 1 to 1.5 inches.the top of the gimble does not have any play, the sides do not have any play but the bottom is where all the movement is.the previous owner says he knew about this & thought it was normal since he bought it like this.he is willing to reimburse for repairs if they are needed.thank you in advance for any help on this & appreciate you reading my long first post.

u sure the play isnt in the rams?

1 to 1.5 inches??? I'd say they are worn!!

Definately not the rams.it is in the bottom center.it is very visible as to where the movement is.is there a piece in the bottom center of the gimble like there is at the top ?I know it is not the same but I equate it to a ball joint.i assume it should allow turning movement but not up & down movement so to speak.

your lower pin is worn and hopefully the housing is not damaged.... you can run it that way but the gimble really should be tight

get if fixed asap if the seller is willing to pay for it, get a price first confirm he will flip for it...

Am I correct in assuming the gimble would need to be removed to replace the pin ? Assuming the housing is still good of course.

I appreciate all pf the help.i just came across an old thread concerning this from 2004.thanx again everybody.

My Bravo had a lot of play, and here's why-
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2c0a8d16.jpg

That hole, with good threads, should be about .575" in diameter.

I have a trs transom assembly at the shop....already disassembled that you can look at.....even scavenge off of.

There are two points that can give you up and down play.....top pin where the tiller arm attaches, and one at the bottom center (swivel pin)

Running it as such, could cause the pin to crack the transom plate and then you have trouble.....especially in reverse....

Gimme a call tomorrow....

239.349.5395
Rich

Just to bring this thread up to date.i went ahead & disassembled the boat down to the transom plates.just needed lower gimble pins & bearings.went ahead & also replaced upper bearings & all seals & side bushings etc.refinished bell housings & gimble rings too.took me about 18 hours to do both drives.just to be safe, I also replaced the u-joint bellows & oil seals & hoses.took the boat out for the first time today, dropped it in at punta rassa, ran it to naples & hit the dog beach & fort myers beach on the way back.WHAT A BLAST ! I would like to publicly thank DON CARTER at PERFORMANCE OFFSHORE SPECIALTIES IN FORT MYERS FOR HIS GUIDANCE & EXPERTISE IN THIS PROJECT.he is truly a wealth of information & a pleasure to talk with.he has a customer for life.looks like I found a new hobby !!!!!!!

Thanx for the offer, sorry but I did not see your response until I checked in to post tonight.but I do appreciate it.this is in response to the post just before my last post.

You are in excellent hands with don and don jr. They are truly gentlemen and willing to help.

Oh....and as you saw, they most likely have the largest on-hand inventory of tr/tr2/ and trs on the planet...