gimble bearing gone

[peejcj8]

I have a Volvo Penta 5.7 mid 80's with a 280 outdrive. <br /><br />Yesterday I was coming in from fishing and the outdrive made grinding noise. <br /><br />Long story short. I removed the upper drive assembly today and looked into the flywheel cover and the balls for the bearings were everywhere. It got dark so I stopped. <br /><br />These are the bearings that ride around the drive shaft or gimbal shaft whatever you call it before it get to the outdrive. <br /><br />My repair manual does not help much, it does not even mention the flywheel cover in the V8 section??? <br /><br />My main question here guys is do you have to remove the engine to do this? <br /><br />Any help or advice will be appreciated

 

[Don S]

Re: gimble bearing gone

The Volvo's didn't have "Gimbal" bearings back then, they had what is know as intermediate bearings in the bellhousing. There was either 1 or 2 bearings and a couple of seals on the shaft.<br />Hopefully all you need to do is change the bearings, but the problem I have found is the bearings usually spin inside the bellhousing which destroys the housing. Didn't you notice a growling noise before they went out completely? <br />Anyway, you have to pull the engine to remove the bellhousing and replace the bearings.

 

[peejcj8]

Re: gimble bearing gone

No additional noise before they went out. The engine is pretty loud anyway. I did not notice any noise out of the ordinary. <br /><br />Thanks for the reply

 

[peejcj8]

Re: gimble bearing gone

How can you tell if it is a intermediate bearing or a gimble bearing?<br /><br />Since I bought the boat last year used, I do not know exactly what year anything is.<br /><br />When i look into the tube from the rear of the boat I see the bearings and the snap rings.<br /><br />Eric

 

[Don S]

Re: gimble bearing gone

How can you tell if it is a intermediate bearing or a gimble bearing?<br />

Maybe you missed the first line of my previous post, here it is again. <br />"The Volvo's didn't have "Gimbal" bearings back then, they had what is know as intermediate bearings in the bellhousing."<br />That means there is no such thing as a gimbal bearing on engine with a 280 drive.<br />As far as determining exactly which engine you have read this Volvo service bulletin. Also check the engine over for a metal tag with the model and serial number on it.<br /><br /> Volvo Engine ID

 

[peejcj8]

Re: gimble bearing gone

you were correct, I just wanted to make sure I had the right drive.<br /><br />I do have a 280 and it was the intermediate bearing.<br /><br />All is fixed now, Thanks for your help.<br /><br />Eric