gimbal bearing installation?

betayv

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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May 13, 2008
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706
1987 searat 5.7 Im installing new gimbal bearing, what can I used to press the bearing in? thanks.
 

Speakrdude

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Feb 25, 2004
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If you have the Alignment tool, there is an attachment that bolts through it to help you. (if you have the housing off the boat, A bearing press works like magic!)
 

tpenfield

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Jul 18, 2011
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There are some special tools available (online, etc.) for both removal and installation of the gimbal bearing
 

DaveG55

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Jun 17, 2012
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144
There are also several home grown tools out there. Just recently I read of someone using a piece of pvc pipe to drive one in. DonS has posted the tool dimensions in the technical sticky at the top of the page as well. Look for "backlash and gimbal tool" or something like that.
 

betayv

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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May 13, 2008
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706
I have the housing out, let me figure out the bearing press.
 

betayv

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May 13, 2008
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706
hi bondo I pulled the bell housin becase Im replacing the bellows, and shift cable. thanks
 

Speakrdude

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Feb 25, 2004
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942
NO, when I said out, I meant the Whole Gimbal housing, while the engine is out, and your rebuilding everything.
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
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May 19, 2004
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If the gimbal housing is still on the boat you will need to use one of the special tools. Either a Merc genuine (ouch$$$) or make one from the plans on this site, up in the sticky section.
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
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May 19, 2004
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27,468
how deep the gimbal bearing should go in?

The easiest answer to that sounds a bit 'twee', but is the 'right' answer... It goes in until it stops. As you're hitting the drift to drive it in you'll heard the different sound. That means it's stopped. Visually, it's just below the lip of the flange the bellows sits on. That's as close as I can get. If it's not far enough, the drive will not go all the way on.

Chris....
 

Speakrdude

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Feb 25, 2004
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942
If you live in fort Lauderdale, you should be able to walk down just about any street and find a gimbal bearing alignment tool. Bout $65.00 on Ebay.
 
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