Bravo 1 gimbal bearing

[ericcarr2000]

I'll be attempting to replace my gimbal bearing before re commissioning her in the spring. I figured since I have to replace my lower unit I might as well also replace my gimbal bearing because there is a slight grinding noise when motor is running. I'm hoping it's the bearing at least and not the coupler, my question is on a scale of 1-10, how hard is this job, I've never attempted to do this. I did however remove the outdrive by myself and I can say that it really wasn't as bad as I was told it would be.

 

[alldodge]

I'll be attempting to replace my gimbal bearing before re commissioning her in the spring. I figured since I have to replace my lower unit I might as well also replace my gimbal bearing because there is a slight grinding noise when motor is running. I'm hoping it's the bearing at least and not the coupler, my question is on a scale of 1-10, how hard is this job, I've never attempted to do this. I did however remove the outdrive by myself and I can say that it really wasn't as bad as I was told it would be.

With the right tools it's not that hard. Some use slide hammers others use pullers. I like pullers because there is less of a chance for the bearing to tilt when coming out. If it does tilt, you cannot get it out. Need to drive it back it and try again. The tilt is ever so slightly and will not be able to see it visually, the bearing will stop moving.

Before you do attempt to pull it, check the bearing with your fingers by rotating it. If it feels rough, replace it, if not the noise may be in another place.

 

[bspeth]

Its really not that hard.I would have preferred a puller,however I didn't have acess to one and the slide hammer worked fine.I used the old race mounted on the end of a 2x4 for my driver and it worked well.Another thing I did was line up the rises in the tolerance ring with the grooves that were in the gimbal housing,dont know if that helped but it went in easy.Just pull the old one out and go from there.

 

[ericcarr2000]

After I hit the drive off I did insert my alignment tool and rotated it.... I couldn't really twist it with just my 2 fingers but I could turn it when I used my hand..

 

[ericcarr2000]

After I took the drive off I did insert my alignment tool and rotated it.... I couldn't really twist it with just my 2 fingers but I could turn it when I used my hand.. I'll be doing this by not doing anything to the bellows. Is it possible to do this job while not disturbing the bellows?

 

[thumpar]

Put your fingers on the inside of the bearing and turn it. That is the only way you will feel if it is rough. There will be a little resistance but it should feel silky smooth.

 

[ericcarr2000]

Also, I had noticed thst when I started it without the drive, my audible alarm went off and continually stayed on until I shut her down. I noticed thst my oil pressure was right around 40 psi.

 

[camalot]

Also, I had noticed thst when I started it without the drive, my audible alarm went off and continually stayed on until I shut her down. I noticed thst my oil pressure was right around 40 psi.

The alarm would have been low block/seapump pressure if you had no water hooked up. Time to change the impeller now.....and odds on you have the brass pump hosing so that will need changing as well.

 

[ericcarr2000]

I had the same hose hooked up to the water inlet on the gimbal ring. The only difference was instead of having the muffs hooked up I sprayed the water directly into the inlet.

 

[alldodge]

I had the same hose hooked up to the water inlet on the gimbal ring. The only difference was instead of having the muffs hooked up I sprayed the water directly into the inlet.

Spraying water is not a good thing. Your impeller may be OK but I would recommend checking to make sure before running the engine again. If you want to run a Bravo drive without the drive, disconnect the inlet hose going into the pump and connect the garden hose to it. Or you could disconnect the water pump belt and connect the garden hose directlyy to the thermostat housing

 

[ericcarr2000]

I just git done replacing the impeller so I'm hoping that will be ok. But as far as this mysterious grinding goes, does anyone have any ideas as to what it can be? It sounds kinda funny, like it's coming from the rear of the engine, that's why I thought I'd remove the drive do that pretty much rules out the gimbal bearing. I'm hoping it's not the coupler. Is there a way to check that without pulling the motor?

 

[thumpar]

I doubt the alarm was going off from the water pressure sensor. With the age it probably doesn't have one. The only sensors you likely have to set the alarm off is oil pressure, temp and lube monitor. My guess is your lube monitor is empty from removing the drive. You can remove the wires for testing the engine just make sure you hook them back up.

Couplers wouldn't cause grinding especially if the drive is off. It sounds like something engine related.

 

[ericcarr2000]

We'll I can pretty much rule out the temp sensor. My guess is the outdrive lube sensor. Can I just push in on the end of the little sensor that goes into the outdrive to check to see if that's it? The grinding sounds like it's coming from the starboard side at the rear towards the bottom. It almost sounds like if you were to rub together a couple of marbles real hard. At times it's louder than others.