Gimbal Bearing Alpha One Gen II

[SDSeville]

Is OEM the way to go on gimbal bearings?

 

[Bt Doctur]

not necessarily Link-Belt is still a Link
belt

 

[achris]

Yes... IMHO

 

[alldodge]

IMO - IF (big if) OEM is Timken or Link Belt then yes, otherwise but Timken or Link Belt

 

[harringtondav]

All of the Sierra gimbal bearings I've purchased were stamped Link Belt. Merc. doesn't make bearings. They buy Timken, Torringtion and Link Belt.

 

[SDSeville]

Thanks for the help. Only problem now is I can't get the old one out. I rented this slide hammer from the auto parts store and it is not even budging the bearing. After a pull or two, the claws flex and pull out. Amy suggestions?

Thanks

 

[achris]

Use a 3 jaw puller.



Chris..........

 

[thumpar]

Yep, 3 jaws. I have pulled them out of both boats I have owned. Used 3 jaw puller and came out fast.

 

[SDSeville]

Thanks! Where is a good place to get the 3 jaw puller? I need a brick and mortar store so I can pick it up today? Does this one look like it would work?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Capri-T...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CLLNy_-IkN0CFQKAfgodBlwNcw

 

[thumpar]

Autozone has a loan a tool program and it is free after you return it. That is what I use.

 

[SDSeville]

Autozone has a loan a tool program and it is free after you return it. That is what I use.

I got the tool in the picture above from O'reilly. They did not have a 3 jaw puller. I will check with autozone.

 

[Maclin]

There is an adapter that has a pivoting end. You pivot it to inline while inserting, then pivot it to perpendicular once it is on the other side of the bearing, it has wider tabs and grabs better.

 

[achris]

There is an adapter that has a pivoting end. You pivot it to inline while inserting, then pivot it to perpendicular once it is on the other side of the bearing, it has wider tabs and grabs better.

The problem with that style puller is it can pick up the seal behind the bearing as will.

 

[SDSeville]

Autozone had the 3 jaw puller. I will give it a try this afternoon.

 

[tacx]

Be sure to let us know how it works out. Dont leave us hanging.

 

[harringtondav]

Sounds like you've made your decision where to buy. If you have a Harbor Freight store close, check them out for future tool needs. Their tools work just fine for the DIY. In fact, if I was a pro, I'd still consider them. Their prices are low enough you can afford to buy two over a big name tool. Which are also likely made in China.

 

[pmtom1]

Tried both pullers with my Dad's boat. Ended up using a Dremel tool with a little cutting stone and grinded it out enough to use hammer puller easily. FYI... parts of the bearing are hardened and wont budge but other rings are softer.

 

[SDSeville]

Sounds like you've made your decision where to buy. If you have a Harbor Freight store close, check them out for future tool needs. Their tools work just fine for the DIY. In fact, if I was a pro, I'd still consider them. Their prices are low enough you can afford to buy two over a big name tool. Which are also likely made in China.

I love HF and shop there all the time. However, as far as I could see, they only had the 2 jaw pullers.

 

[SDSeville]

Tried both pullers with my Dad's boat. Ended up using a Dremel tool with a little cutting stone and grinded it out enough to use hammer puller easily. FYI... parts of the bearing are hardened and wont budge but other rings are softer.

I certainly don't want to go through that much work on this one. It actually seems to be in pretty good shape, but I just bought the boat last summer and want to put a new one in just for peace of mind.

 

[SDSeville]

Wow, that was hard to get out. After about 10 whacks with a 5 pound slide hammer, it finally started to budge. Came out a few hits later. It definitely helped to have the right tool for the job.

Thanks everyone!