How much up & down play is acceptable ? If I grab
the bottom of my drive & lift it,I have about 1/16th
of an inch of play. Is that acceptable or do I need to replace the gimble bearings

Are you sure the play is in the gimble and not in the rams?

Yes, its definetly up top,ram bushings are good &
tight.

Try to tighten the two nuts on the top of the gimble. This is a u bolt that will need to be tightened occasionally. It clamps the gimble to the pivot pin. If the play is not there then it might be the bushing in the transom assembly that the pivot pin rides on.

Hot boat, I've never been near a gimble,can the u-bolt
be accessed from the engine compartment?

Two nuts outside. Just above where it all turns right and left.

Thanks for chiming in,I hoped you were lurking
around here. Does this sound logical? What
are the symptons of a bad gimble?

Careful not to over torgue those bolts. I have seen broken parts from trying to tighten them.

Rick,

The two bolts are above the top cover and surround the pin that has the play in it. There is a torque spec for it and it is not very high.

Mine stated out with a little play a few years ago. It has gradually gotten worse and is coming apart next week. There is a nut inside that sometimes loosens up or the bushing could have some play. From what I'am told the pin comes as a kit and its a couple hundred bucks.

My manuals at the lake will be there wed. to fight the taxes. Will get the spec if you need it.

Thanks Dan,where are you taking apart ? If you need
help give me a call at work. 459-0099. I'd like to be
there to see how it goes together.