Which gimbal bearing?

[thunderroad]

I'm gonna replace the gimbal bearing in my 160 Mercruiser but I'm getting a little confused about which one to use. Mine is held in place by a snap ring. One place I look says the bearing for this type is no longer available and I need to replace with the newer style (housing incl) that doesn't use the snap ring. But another place shows the bearing that I supposedly need as being available. It's priced around $120. I see the newer style priced at $70 or so. If the newer style is both better and cheaper it's a no brainer....as long as it is a direct replacement. This is what I'm wanting to find out.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Which gimbal bearing?

If you use the new style you will need to pregrease it before intsallation as once it's installed you can't grease it

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Which gimbal bearing?

But the new style will fit and work then? So if I pre-greased it really well would it last a couple of years or so of light/moderate use without replacing or regreasing?<br />thanks

 

[bigbrownbuku]

Re: Which gimbal bearing?

if you keep water out of your bellows, yes.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Which gimbal bearing?

If you want to make a tool to grease it, ill take some pics of mine .all you need is an extra tol. ring to have some TIG work on.got enough old ones just laying around if you need one.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Which gimbal bearing?

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g219/BtDoctur/IMG_0642.jpg <br /> http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g219/BtDoctur/gimbalgreasetool.jpg

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Which gimbal bearing?

That's a pretty ingenious device there. I'll show the pic to my welder buddy and see if he can do that. I'll let you know...thanks for the offer.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Which gimbal bearing?

It does what its supposed to do.Think Ive had to use it 3x in 10 years.Finally the owner updated to a later year boat.