Gimbal Bearing Compatibility and Source?

[76SeaRay]

I got a new gimbal bearing and it requires so much force to move the gimbal that it bent part of the inner sleeve. Just like the one I had already installed the amount of force to cause it to move is extremely high. When I finally got this new one to gimbal on the bench, it appears that the aluminum in the gimbal is galled. This could explain why engine alignment is such a problem in many cases, that is, you can't easily get the gimbal to move into alignment. So, I am looking for another new one that is much higher quality and gimbals more smoothly. I am guessing that Quicksilver or Sierra is the way to go and both are available here at iBoats. However, they show that they are for Alpha One Gen II 1998 and newer. Mine is a 1984 Alpha One Gen One MR drive. Other than the change from greaseable to non-greaseable are the gimbal bearings the same for the older Alpha One Gen I and the newer Alpha One Gen II? That is can I get the one listed here at iBoats for the Gen II 1998 newer and use it in my older 1984 drive?

 

[rustybronco]

Here is the Sierra page for the Heavy Duty greaseable bearing P/N 18-2100.

Sierra Catalog

Sierra Catalog is the industry-leading OEM and aftermarket Electronic Parts Catalog featuring a wide array of manufacturers and millions of products. Not only is Sierra Catalog searchable by part number, but detailed exploded drawings of key engine systems, extensive application information, and...

catalog.sierraparts.com

There are other variants of that bearing such as the 18-21001. I did check one Mercruiser P/N and they were the same. You can also check the other variants but it appears on my cursory glance that 1984 MR and the later Alpha Gen 2 bearings are the same.

 

[Scott06]

I got a new gimbal bearing and it requires so much force to move the gimbal that it bent part of the inner sleeve. Just like the one I had already installed the amount of force to cause it to move is extremely high. When I finally got this new one to gimbal on the bench, it appears that the aluminum in the gimbal is galled. This could explain why engine alignment is such a problem in many cases, that is, you can't easily get the gimbal to move into alignment. So, I am looking for another new one that is much higher quality and gimbals more smoothly. I am guessing that Quicksilver or Sierra is the way to go and both are available here at iBoats. However, they show that they are for Alpha One Gen II 1998 and newer. Mine is a 1984 Alpha One Gen One MR drive. Other than the change from greaseable to non-greaseable are the gimbal bearings the same for the older Alpha One Gen I and the newer Alpha One Gen II? That is can I get the one listed here at iBoats for the Gen II 1998 newer and use it in my older 1984 drive?

98 and newer gen 2 gimbal is bigger than a gen one or earlier gen two.

I personally find iboats parts search impossible to use number nine on this page lists both merc and sierra parts for gen one gimbal bearings http://www.marineengine.com/parts/m...mbal-housing-square-square-upper-swivel-shaft

 

[achris]

98 and newer gen 2 gimbal is bigger than a gen one or earlier gen two.

Nope. Same bearing. The only difference being that the 1998 and later is a 'Perm-a-lube' bearing from factory, and the earlier ones were those requiring greasing. If you look at the original number, 30-60794A4, it supersedes to the new number, 30-879194A02.

Chris.....

 

[Scott06]

Nope. Same bearing. The only difference being that the 1998 and later is a 'Perm-a-lube' bearing from factory, and the earlier ones were those requiring greasing. If you look at the original number, 30-60794A4, it supersedes to the new number, 30-879194A02.

Chris.....

Interesting but something doesn’t add up my 2004 boat had a june 2003 build date driveline in it that still has its factory greasable gimbal bearing.

 

[jerryjerry05]

60794A4 early#
30-879194A02 superseded
Just make sure you get OEM
Installing, it shouldn't be real hard to install if you have the right tools.
Make sure the hole is spotless and when inserting, perfectly straight.
Align the grease hole too.

https://forums.iboats.com/javascript:void(0)
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[achris]

Interesting but something doesn’t add up my 2004 boat had a june 2003 build date driveline in it that still has its factory greasable gimbal bearing.

So has my 2006. I think you'll find that online parts sites carry the superseded number straight into the drawings automatically.

Chris......

 

[Bondo]

This could explain why engine alignment is such a problem in many cases, that is, you can't easily get the gimbal to move into alignment.

Ayuh,..... It ain't supposed to move very freely,.... That's why step 1 is to insert the bar just enough to catch the end of the coupler, 'n pound the bar up, down, left, right, to centerish the gimbal,.....

'n in my experience, gimbal bearings are All the same size, Alpha, Bravo, OMC, 'n Volvo,.....

 

[76SeaRay]

Thanks for all the info and discussion. As to how hard it is to move, I had put in a new bearing using a hydraulic press then mounted the gimbal housing to the boat for test aligning the engine. After hours of trying unsuccessfully to align it, I decided to try and see if the bearing would move like shown in the video. I couldn't get the bearing to move at all with the alignment tool only inserted into the bearing race. I even stood on the alignment bar and the bearing would not gimbal at all so whacking it was doing nothing.

A new replacement bearing came in day before yesterday so I decided to "bench test" the gimbal while I am waiting for the removal tool. I tried to do what the video showed with the bearing in a vice and using the alignment tool to move it around. It required a very high amount of force to get it to move at all. When it did move, it had a large snap sound as it broke loose to move and then it would gimbal very stiff but would move horizontally. Unfortunately, breaking it loose in the vertical direction damaged the bearing as it slipped in the vice and popped out.

I ordered another new bearing under part number 30-879194A02 yesterday. I will pull the bearing that is still in the gimbal housing (removal tool due on Monday), clean the surface again where the bearing slides in, and the drive the new one in instead of using my hydraulic press.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... You are beatin' the bearing in, only hitting/ pushing on the outer aluminum ring, 'n not the bearing itself, Right,..??..??

 

[todhunter]

Stick the new gimbal bearing in the freezer for an hour or two. Then be quick about putting it in so it doesn't warm up. You should still use the correct driver tool, but it should go in much easier than when it's at room temperature.

 

[76SeaRay]

I did freeze it before putting it in the press and made sure the tool was pressing only on the outer ring/race.

 

[76SeaRay]

Bearing removal tool came in tonight so pulled the bearing out. I put it in a vice and it took a lot of force just like the other one but once it "broke loose" the gimbal would move stiffly. It is just my opinion but I think this is why a lot of people have so much trouble aligning the engine. All the whacking on the alignment bar in the world doesn't get the bearing to move enough unless you are lucky. Looks like the bearing gimbal has to be "broken loose" first. Holding the bearing in a vice doesn't work so well as the jaws have a tendency to dig into the bearing outer ring even with a pad or the bearing pops out of the vice.

 

[Scott06]

Bearing removal tool came in tonight so pulled the bearing out. I put it in a vice and it took a lot of force just like the other one but once it "broke loose" the gimbal would move stiffly. It is just my opinion but I think this is why a lot of people have so much trouble aligning the engine. All the whacking on the alignment bar in the world doesn't get the bearing to move enough unless you are lucky. Looks like the bearing gimbal has to be "broken loose" first. Holding the bearing in a vice doesn't work so well as the jaws have a tendency to dig into the bearing outer ring even with a pad or the bearing pops out of the vice.

Are these oem bearings or aftermarket?

 

[76SeaRay]

That is a good question. I suspect they were not Mercruiser bearings so could be the problem with poor quality. The one I just ordered is listed as a Quicksilver.

 

[Scott06]

That is a good question. I suspect they were not Mercruiser bearings so could be the problem with poor quality. The one I just ordered is listed as a Quicksilver.

How much did u pay I’ve never paid less than $78 for a oem bearing

 

[76SeaRay]

I don't remember on the one that I installed since it was quite a while ago when I bought it. The one I just got 3 weeks ago seems like it was over $50. The one I just ordered that is due in on next week is a Quicksilver and $98.

Now I have a new problem. Instead of using the hydraulic press this time I am planning to use the installer tool. I bought the Marine Tech alignment bar and installer kit six months ago. It is supposed to be able to install the bearing. What I have found is that it fits the seal just fine but the outer diameter of the installer ring is narrower than the outer bearing race/frame and only catches the inside edge of the outer bearing race. I don't think there is enough engagement to properly distribute the install force. So, I ordered the Sierra universal bearing install ring and hope it works with Marine Tech alignment bar. Have to wait another week and a half to get it.

 

[Lou C]

Quicksilver should be as good as Merc because its really the same thing but who knows where they source their parts from now.

 

[Scott06]

I don't remember on the one that I installed since it was quite a while ago when I bought it. The one I just got 3 weeks ago seems like it was over $50. The one I just ordered that is due in on next week is a Quicksilver and $98.

Now I have a new problem. Instead of using the hydraulic press this time I am planning to use the installer tool. I bought the Marine Tech alignment bar and installer kit six months ago. It is supposed to be able to install the bearing. What I have found is that it fits the seal just fine but the outer diameter of the installer ring is narrower than the outer bearing race/frame and only catches the inside edge of the outer bearing race. I don't think there is enough engagement to properly distribute the install force. So, I ordered the Sierra universal bearing install ring and hope it works with Marine Tech alignment bar. Have to wait another week and a half to get it.

I have used a 1” wooden dowl and a 3” pvc pipe to drive against the outer race

Quicksilver is OEM, its just mercurys ’other‘brand that they can sell outside of thier dealer network. These are the same parts used by mercury/MerCruiser. I don’t know if these are any better than some of the aftermarket bearings, but I would certainly expect them to be better than the super cheap ones you see

 

[76SeaRay]

While waiting for the new bearing, will these light grooves be ok when the new bearing goes in? Should they be knocked down a bit with a large 3 inch diameter sanding wheel?