MERC outdrives...

[nauti-buoy]

I am on the hunt for an ingenius repair for the infamous mercruiser sterndrive steering pin/ gimbal housing 'clamp' wear that does not entail a complete teardown to replace the gimbal housing. I'm thinkin if you know what i am talking about ...YOU KNOW what i mean...I have repaired one i had by filling the void with JBweld and reclamping after it set, worked well on a v6 200hp in/out alpha1 on an 18ft campion been going for 4yrs now. But my Crownline with a 300hp v8 and a bravo3 25' sportcruiser has too much thrust and that repair doesnt stand up.....ideas guys?

[Jon Fuller]

I did a repair on mine. I increased the size of the square hole in the yolk (ali bit) and folded up some stainless steel shim into 90 degree bits to pack it out to snug push together fit. The U bolt then clamped it as it should be.

I did it by hand, as in, used a file. However, if you're a cack handed engineer, I'd get someone who isn't to do it for you, as it needs to be pretty good & square to maintain a good contact area tween pin, shim and yolk.

I'm not suggesting you are cack handed, just saying that if you're not confident, get someone else to do it who is.