Lower unit play

Maggieiscrazy

Well-Known Member
Oct 14, 2016
958
Northern Wisconsin
Boat Info
240 Sundancer
Engines
5.0. Bravo III
I have a bravo 3 that has about 3/4” of free play when I move the lower unit back and forth. After doing some research I could see from inside the boat that there is a steering arm that extends into the outdrive and connects to a square shaft and that’s where the free play is. Is there an easy fix for this? Is 3/4” free play anything to worry about? Thanks.
 
The top of your gimbal ring is probably worn.

The gimbal ring eventually "rounds" out at the square area that accepts the swivel shaft resulting in excessive "play" in your outdrive's lateral movement.

Replace the swivel shaft seal while you are at it, as it is probably leaking already.
 
Or might be as simple as the pinch bolt is loose, which holds the steering arm to the swivel shaft. Check that first and re-torque the 2 nuts on the outside above the bell housing. That u-bolt holds the swivel shaft to the gimball ring

There should be no free play in that area. If tightening the nuts and bolt don't work, it's a worn gimbal ring. 3/4" is a lot and it's not going to get better
 
036F4BEC-529F-4DB0-ACAA-742E1F05C400.png
The part where I can see free play looks like this.
 
Right, and there's 2 places the free play could be coming from. Reread my 1st post
 
I was able to get at the pinch bolt on the steering arm. I cranked down on it as tight as i dared. That didn’t help. I’m guessing either the steering arm or the swivel shaft is rounded. I don’t imagine there’s an easy way to replace them. Also. I didn’t see any sign of water intrusion. Nothing is rusty.
 
JR Marine sells re-manufactured gimbal rings and stainless steel swivel shafts. They also provide some helpful info on what lies ahead.

http://www.jrmarine.com/
 
Bad engineering. A well maintained engine can run for thousands of hours. And yet the steering components are worn out at 500 hours!
 
The pinch bolt is a set it and forget it. Steel on steel. The 2 U-bolt nuts, easy to get to, should be checked yearly.

Only you can make that call, the steel pin is wallowing out the square hole in the gimbal ring, trying to make it round.
If it was mine I would fix it.
 
"Only you can make that call, the steel pin is wallowing out the square hole in the gimbal ring, trying to make it round.
If it was mine I would fix it".

What I said in the first reply to the post.
 
The free play is not in the gimbal ring it’s where the steering arm connects to the swivel shaft. I wonder if there’s a way to get the steering arm off without removing the gimbal ring?
 
770749E4-37FA-4EED-AD17-8BADF7323C34.png
Mine has the plug kit like in the picture. Obviously the previous owner was having issues too. I thought those plugs were on from the factory. Shows what I know.
 
Last edited:
Nope, and a lot of stuff has to come off. It's a grade 8 fine thread pinch bolt, it can take quite a bit of torque. I had a similar problem, the PO didn't tighten up the bolt enough.

What was Quint sayin ?
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,946
Messages
1,422,757
Members
60,929
Latest member
Henchman
Back
Top