Slack in the outdrive unit
 

I installed the out drive unit on my 1995 Talari 200 after replacing the engine. I went to the lake for a test drive and noticed a slight vibration and squeaking noise. After I trailered I can move the lower unit side to side and make the noise I was hearing on the water. I double checked the bushings in the trim cylinder and all seem to be OK. I am wondering if there is slack in the steering. The only thing that was done at the steering was to remove the hydraulic hoses. Anyone have any suggestions?

Re: Slack in the outdrive unit
 

When you installed the new engine did they/you check your new motor for alignment????
Doug

Re: Slack in the outdrive unit
 

Thank you Doug, I did check the alignment and I am confident the alignment is correct. I did a search on the forums and found discussion about the gimbel ring however most instances involve movement of the outdrive of more than one inch. I have no more than a quarter inch play. I wish I had checked for play before removing the outdrive. I could have had this play and before replacing the engine but I know for sure I did not have the vibration. You can feel it steady in the boat on smooth water. One discussion was around the U-joints however they looked and felt like new. I may go to a boat shop and check for outdrive play and than remove and re-install the outdrive again. One note: the outdrive went together easily with no indication that might cause me to think the motor was out of align but I will double check alignment when I remove the outdrive.

Re: Slack in the outdrive unit
 

After looking the gimbal ring and bell or gimbal housing illustrations I don't understand how the drive bell housing connects to the transom. Am I correct to say that the drive bell housing connects to the gimbal ring by way of two side pins and the gimbal ring connects to the transom with the one pin at the bottom of the transom? And if I'm correct then the steering pin at the top of the gimbal ring does not support the gimbal ring and is use only to steer.
The play I have in my outdrive seems to be either in the Gimbal ring pin at the bottom of the gimbal ring or in the side pins in the drive bell housing or both. When I move the outdrive unit the gimbal ring and the drive bell housing move together but only side to side and not up and down. The noise like slack in the pins seems to be coming from the steering pin.

Re: Slack in the outdrive unit
 

I removed the outdrive and I believe I have narrowed it down to the pins. The drive bell housing has some play side to side. I don't know what would be acceptable. The most slack is located in the lower gimbal ring pin. I can duplicate the noise I heard the other day when I was on the lake. Does anyone have any suggestions? Where might I find a step by step procedure to remove the gimbal ring and the drive housing on a alpha one?