play in outdrive (Bravo III)

[medrib]

Hi All,

My RIB is currently out of the water and I noticed that there is a lot of play in the outdrive - about 2" at the end of the leg. I checked the steering hydraulics but they are rock solid...is this a problem? something that needs fixing urgently or can i do it after the summer is over?

The outdrive is a Mercruiser Bravo III.

any help and comments apprecaited....

Thanks,
Ferdi

[Matt]

Fairly common to get play either between the tiller arm and the pin, or the pin and the gimball ring.

[medrib]

a mechanic looked at it this afternoon. he says that the pin that connects the drive to the transom is worn. apparently there are some cogs inside that wear out with time and that the cogs (and the pin) have to be replaced. i could see the pin moving slightly when meving the drive back and forth. The bad news is that in order to the job both the drive and the engine have to be removed (!!!) - which makes it a couple of days job!!!

The machanic said that i could continue driving this season and hope that the pin holds, but that i would notice that the boat doesnt track very well in a streight line and will be wobbly while turning...

Anybody been through anything similar? I would really appreciate any insight!

Thanks,
F

[Dirk Diggler]

Fairly common problem, due to lack of maintenance.

There ain't no cogs though!

[Matt]

Except mebbe in the mechanics head as he thinks of all the doh he'll earn.