Gimble bearing

[MD-80]

How tight should the GImble bearing be on the drive shaft? I am installing a new gimble bearing on a OMC cobra outdrive and it feels almost to tight. It does not readily slide on all the way up to the o-rings. The shaft had been sitting in water but I cleaned it up very well and there is no longer any service rust on it. It just seems like it almost needs to be pressed on the shaft and I know that's not the case.

 

[Don S]

Re: Gimble bearing

It's probably not a problem with the gimbal bearing being to tight on the shaft as the engine is out of alignment.
Did you check the alignment with an alignment bar?

 

[MD-80]

Re: Gimble bearing

Yeah, I haven't put the gimble bearing in the boat I was just sliding the gimble bearing down on the shaft to check it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Gimble bearing

Got a picture of the shaft you can post? Not sure why it has been sitting in water, or what "service rust" is, but I would bet you need a new shaft if the gimbal bearing won't go on it.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Gimble bearing

Severe rust?, surface rust maybe?? Any way, any rust or corrosion on the shaft will increase the diameter of the shaft making it too large to fit into the bearing. Removing the rust will make the shaft smaller than original. With out seeing the shaft it's questionable at best.