Alignment Issue

[andrewnzinuk]

Hi

I recently had and engine alignment problem and as a newbie - would like to understand a little more about it. The Volvo Penta dealer said the gimbal bearing needed changing (likley due to growling noise at low rpm). Anyway they changed it and it cost a lot for various reasons. It is an 3.0 GLP-C SX Volvo Penta.

They took the leg off, and it did not come off easily - was very tight and required significant prying. The then found a hole in the bellows and rusty water, along with a rusted gimbal bearing which they showed to me. This boat had passed a pre-purchase inspection by another Vovlo Penta Dealership (a few weeks earlier - with no mention of any mechanical issues - go figure). Anyway ordered new gimbal bearing, bellows kit etc. Long story short could not get gimbal bearing set to the coupler using the alignment tool, engine alignment was a mile out. They showed me - they even moved the motor as much as they could on it's mounts and up and down - they got closer but not all the way into the coupler. They noticed the motor had previoulsy been raised about 12mm on the port side. They ended up lifting the motor and remounting about 1/2 inch to port - the alignment was then perfect. Off course the leg now comes on and off very easily.

I don't believe the gimbal bearing has ever been changed in the boat (2005 four winns 180 H) - has anyone else experienced this before. I was surprised - but not being mechanically minded have to rely on the experts. They mentioned that has a production boat the alignment may have been out off the production line.

I assume remounting your motor to fix an alignment issue is the last resort - but just wondering if any one else has faced this. Cheers Andrew

 

[Don S]

Re: Alignment Issue

I've seen it several times, lack of maintenance is very expensive and time consuming.
When you install a new gimbal bearing, the first thing you have to do is move the inner portion of the gimbal bearing to line up with the coupler, once you get that done, you can align the engine if needed.
The other thing, is when the gimbal bearing is out, you should make sure the shaft will go into the coupler. Old dried hardend grease and metal buildup from lack of maintenance will prevent the Align bar from going in the coupler. Some serious cleaning is sometimes needed.
Then the bearing is installed.
PS: If you remove a good bearing with a slide hammer, it turns into a junk bearing.

 

[andrewnzinuk]

Re: Alignment Issue

Thanks Don - the previous owner has had it serviced each year by the Volvo Penta Dealer - this was the same dealer that did the pre-purchase inspection for me and said it was in very good condition. Took it to my local Vovlo Penta Dealership (two weeks later_ and they could not believe the other shop missed the gimbal bearing issue - they picked it up as soon as it went on the muffs. The gimbal bearing was rusted and bellows had rust in them - so must have been like that for some time. I suppose the lesson is that all shops are not the same - even if the have the badge. I am trying to see if the original shop will give me back some of my pre-purchase inspection costs.

Cheers

Andrew