Simple fix for M steering play.

[Crikey]

One of the discoveries I made while playing with my steering was the noticeable amount of play to be found in the rudder arm connections. Even when the bolts are well tightened the positions could be made to vary.
My solution was to insert two standard stainless screws into the gaps, as well as internally shimming the bolt with a very thin stainless washer, before re-tightening the nut.
http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/rottn ... 9.mp4.html
http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/rottn ... 0.mp4.html

Solid as a rock. It probably was worth ten percent of my total play!

[seahouse]

Hey Ross--

Thanks for posting that- the devil in the details.

I found that at that point I had very little side to side play with that bolt tight (but not so much as to squish the tube of course). I notice in your first video that that bolt is loose, so the small amount of lash shown is entirely from the hole clearance. Maybe the clearance hole was made smaller at the factory somewhere during production(?) Not in your case (new), but I could also see that the hole would open up in use if the bolt were to loosen off.

On its own, the up and down play (the second of your videos) IIRC, because of its direction perpendicular to the movement of the arms, should have no material effect on the overall play in the steering.

- B

[133bhp]

simply use a bigger bolt and drill the hole out to regain tolerance. Just done the pivot bolt on my X. all slop is gone. Used a 12mm/200mm which looks more in keeping than the skinny OEM.

I;ll do some proper bearings when slop returns ,but Its one of the areas than macs are almost childlike in construction, a few top hat washers as a minimum would cost peanuts and add to quality feel.

[Crikey]

Actually I posted this from material I had shortly after the new boat arrived so the drilled holes had no chance to open up. I agree re-drilling with an exact bolt match would have eliminated most play but I opted for a simple fix with the screw shims. The nut in the video was loosened but only to demonstrate the built in play that was contributing to extra steering.
Considering the flex in the whole system, even the up - down movement of the arm was contributing something unnecessary.
Ross