Alpha one gimbal bearing housing damage

Benny67

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 21, 2015
Messages
571
How it works at auto zone is you buy the tool and return it when you are done. If you use a credit card it charges it and refunds it in 24 hours

Changed 3 gimble bearings in 2 different boats with the slide hammer from my auto zone....works like a charm every time.

Be sure to get the bigger one (I forget the weight of the slide) I tried using a small 3lb slide I had and it was basically worthless in this case. I pounded that small hammer for 10 min and the bearing barely moved. I went and rented the Big slide hammer and got it out in 3 shots.
 

fairshopperguy27

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
127
How it works at auto zone is you buy the tool and return it when you are done. If you use a credit card it charges it and refunds it in 24 hours

Changed 3 gimble bearings in 2 different boats with the slide hammer from my auto zone....works like a charm every time.

Be sure to get the bigger one (I forget the weight of the slide) I tried using a small 3lb slide I had and it was basically worthless in this case. I pounded that small hammer for 10 min and the bearing barely moved. I went and rented the Big slide hammer and got it out in 3 shots.

Thanks for this advice. I'm going to give this a shot. Do I have to remove the bell housing?
 

Benny67

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 21, 2015
Messages
571
Thanks for this advice. I'm going to give this a shot. Do I have to remove the bell housing?

It's easier if you remove the bell housing do but I believe you can.

I myself am paranoid about ripping or disrupting those rubber boots so I would remove it and replace it with new rubbers while you are doing it. It's one less thing to worry about
 

fairshopperguy27

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
127
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It's easier if you remove the bell housing do but I believe you can.

I myself am paranoid about ripping or disrupting those rubber boots so I would remove it and replace it with new rubbers while you are doing it. It's one less thing to worry about

I attached a picture of the only slide hammer auto zone has listed for rent on they're website. Is this the one you used? O'Reilly also has one that says it's 5lbs.
 

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fairshopperguy27

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
127
I got it out with the slide hammer. Now im gonna very carefully install a new bearing and try for alignment once more.
 

fairshopperguy27

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
127
Well heres the latest. Bearing is fully seated, coupler is aligned. Tried greasing the bearing and the grease just pours out the outside of the ring. No grease coming out from the bearing. I'm at a loss here. I lined up the hole to the zirk with the outer ring gap lined up so it did not cover the hole. Did I do something wrong ?
 

Benny67

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 21, 2015
Messages
571
some bearings are now coming as a sealed unit...check and see if that's the case
 

fairshopperguy27

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
127
some bearings are now coming as a sealed unit...check and see if that's the case

Nope, the 1st failed attempt was with a sealed merc brand $100 bearing, the 2nd was a glm brand $50 greasabl which is now a failed 2nd attempt, could not get it to grease. 3rd merc brand bearing is now on the way. If that fails. Boat is getting donated.
 

Blueghost924

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 19, 2013
Messages
250
You may want to hold off giving up on the 2nd bearing. I posted some comments in a recent topic of greasing the gimbal bearing, with boat doctor and Chris giving great insight and advice. Chances are, you may have done things right with this 2nd greasable bearing, and just don't know it (or what you're seeing doesn't look logical at first). Please look through the past 2 weeks of topics, and you'll see the thread on this.
 
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