Gimbal bearing install.... Is there a wrong direction??

[jones56]

Installing a new gimbal bearing tomorrow. Is there a certain direction the bearing goes in does it matter??

 

[dubs283]

Re: Gimbal bearing install.... Is there a wrong direction??

the bearing will perform fine either direction

there is however, a correct direction to install it

you want to face the side of the bearing that has the two "slots" on either side of the inner race to face forward

if you look at both sides of the bearing assy it will be apparent what the "slots" i refer to are

also - if your bearing is greasable, you will want to line up the hole in the outer edge with the grease port in the gimbal housing - you may have to rotate the interference ring on the outside to find the hole (its opposite the dot on the face of the bearing assy)

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Gimbal bearing install.... Is there a wrong direction??

What year of drive are you working on?

Some of the older gimble housings didn't have a zerk to grease the gimble bearing. You want the carrier "slots" facing aft, or outward on these older drives, so you can tip the bearing out of the carrier and grease it (with a special tool) during the drive's yearly service.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Gimbal bearing install.... Is there a wrong direction??

Keep the slots pointing OUT so you can tilt the bearing next time it needs replaced.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Gimbal bearing install.... Is there a wrong direction??

here's mercruisers statement on this..
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Bullet/85/85_26.pdf

thats the way i did mine..

 

[dubs283]

Re: Gimbal bearing install.... Is there a wrong direction??

here's mercruisers statement on this..
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Bullet/85/85_26.pdf

thats the way i did mine..

you got it ziggy, the correct way

thanks for posting the SB

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Gimbal bearing install.... Is there a wrong direction??

This will be like a "whats the best oil" type thread. I put mine in with slots out, and it works perfect. Merc has that statement to sell more gimbal bearing assemblies.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Gimbal bearing install.... Is there a wrong direction??

Merc has that statement to sell more gimbal bearing assemblies.

did you read the service bulletin posted about this??

replacing just the inner portion of the bearing would be like installing a new bearing with an old race - no no

mercuiser has service bulletins for a reason, like safety or performance issues, not to just sell more parts

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Gimbal bearing install.... Is there a wrong direction??

Mercruiser wants you to install it per the bulletin so you can't remove the bearing from the cartridge, which you don't need to do anyway if you have a grease zerk on the gimble housing. If you don't have a zerk on the gimble housing,,, how are you going to grease the gimble bearing? I doubt the OP needs to install it facing aft, though, we don't know what he's working on...

I do agree that the cartridge should be replaced along with the bearing, as Mercruiser states. The service bulletin is their way to MAKE people replace the cartridge with the bearing.