Hi guys, i have a buddy who has about 4 inches of side to side play on his mercruiser bravo one drive. I have heard this could be the gimble bearing but what else should we check before tearing into it? The side to side movement is so smooth i was wondering if maybe it had to do with power steering, loss of pressure or fluid?

The gimbal needs to be replaced mine did the same thing a few years back

Is the play in the steering ,when you move it back and forth does the wheel move ,if so its possibly the gimble pin worn out

That's slop in the steering not a bad gimbal.

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You need to do three things...82 Daytona is dead on...

1. Have someone looking in the engine bay at the steering ram (hydro assist like an old Mustang) and move the outdrive too and fro, if there is any play in the points where the hydro connects, or the drag link area fix that first.

2. lift up and down on the drive and look for vertical slop, there should be no more than 1/8" of play there...

3. turn the wheel all the way to one side (left or right), if the play seems to lessen or totally go away, your gimball king pins are FUBAR...These used to have bushings in them (rebuildable) but some years back they just use raw pin to cast....There should be some zerks on the pins that more than likely have never been lubed.....

The gimball bearing has absolutely nothing to do with this problem....Just worn out...I recommend using a ratchet strap to pull the drive to one side while on the trailer and towing, it keeps it from wagging the OD like a tail and wearing chit out.......

GT