Tilt tube side to side play?

[badluck]

How much play should I have on a merc3.0?It seems like 1/4" of side to side play?

[Tom Foley]

It really should only have enough "play " to move freely, allow rotation of the engine to tilt up and down , a few thousandths . If you have that much play you have a serious problem . Take a good close up photo and post it .

[Mr. Demeanor]

The play can be between the two parts of the bracket, the bracket and the steering, or play in the steering. EIther way, its not good. If its between the two parts of the bracket then your missing some shims or have excessive wear. If its between the bracket and steering then it can be adjusted out following the steering systems installation instructions. If the steering is just loose than if hydraulic, it needs to be properly bleed or cable, properly adjusted. Like Tom said, post up a pic or even better, a video showing the play in motion.

[perfmarine1]

Assuming you know what a tilt tube is, there should be no play that can be seen. Snug the nuts up and back off just so it don't bind when you trim it. Transom bolts need to be loose.

[badluck]

I need to tighten up the 2 nuts. What size are they?1-1/4?

[badluck]

How doI hold the shaft and spin the nut?

[badluck]

No play between the brackets. Just the 2 nuts. It's morelike 1/8"

[Mr. Demeanor]

http://www.seastarsolutions.com/support-2/installation-manuals-controls-cables/installation-manuals/seastar-installation-manuals/