I know what it is but I don't know why it's here...with pics

[daydreamer1252]

for reference see previous post.....http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=511084

Thanks to all for the ideas I got it off now I don't know why I am looking at what I am......the pulling has pulled the outdrive and of course with it the drive shaft AND THE ENTIRE gimbal bearing..

How and why?

The gimbal shows no signs of damage or distress. The drive shaft shows no signs of damage either. No apparent damage at the gimbal bearing seat is noticeable. The first o-ring is inside the gimbal and is apparently stuck fast....tight enough to pull the entire assembly out with the driveshaft.....as stated in the previous post the drive would go on no further and was starting to damage the threads on the 6 studs and nuts when trying to draw it up....now all indications are that it was OK at that point.....

What is this telling me? Except that maybe I should not be doing this work. Any and all input is appreciated...Thanks all!!

 

[achris]

Re: I know what it is but I don't know why it's here...with pics

Remove the bearing from the shaft. Remove the 'O' rings. check that the bearing runs all the way up to the end of the yoke. If it stops before the end, find out why. (I suspect a bur or rust on the shaft).

Chris......

 

[NHGuy]

Re: I know what it is but I don't know why it's here...with pics

I am glad you got the drive off. What he said.

 

[daydreamer1252]

Re: I know what it is but I don't know why it's here...with pics

never having tried before....how close is the fit supposed to be between the ID of the bearing and the OD of the shaft? are we talking 2-3 thou. or a press fit or 10-12 thou.?? I would think with the O-rings that there would be a few...maybe 10 thou....I don't remember a published spec??

Am I right in thinking this is more than just a MerKick situation?

Thanks

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: I know what it is but I don't know why it's here...with pics

I don't know the exact clearance of the bearing to the shaft but with the orings removed it should slide up the shaft with ease.

What led you up to this point? Is that a new bearing or been in there for a while?

In that previous thread you had problems with it getting stuck going back on, did you pull the drive off the 1st time around? and if so did it come off easily?

 

[daydreamer1252]

Re: I know what it is but I don't know why it's here...with pics

achris and Eric....

The drive came to me riding on the rotting deck (floor)...never had seen it on the boat I believed that it was on the boat before as the damage in the drive was consistent with the overheat that I found on and around the engine......the bearing is new never turned a revolution except with my fingers or the 1/4 turn that I gave the engine after it got stuck....in reference to achris' thoughts there was the same light surface rust that is visible in the area....the drive was left out in the elements while sitting on the rotting deck....there was no noted heavy rust nor any burrs noted when installing the new o-rings....I will bet there is a burr now though.....I have to admit to being a bit confused about being here myself.....guess I will clean it all up over the weekend and try again to do what I thought I was doing right the first time...and see the outcome....I am somewhat concerned about getting the bearing off as there is no angle to get a clean shot with a drift and the shaft is pretty long to get a puller on.....not enough room between the yoke and bearing to rest it on the jaws of the vice and rap on the end of the shaft.....it will require more thought.....Thanks for the interest....and the words about the ease of the bearing along the shaft....

 

[Don S]

Re: I know what it is but I don't know why it's here...with pics

If there is ANY roughness in that bearing, replace it. If it turns smooth, just replace the tolerance ring (ridged metal ring on OD of bearing) and reinstall.

 

[daydreamer1252]

Re: I know what it is but I don't know why it's here...with pics

Don S..

Thanks for the input....on the shaft there is no roughness felt.....will check again when it is in my hand....the tolerance ring is showing NLA from Marine Max and Mercruiser but was able to find the OEM part on the net.....soon that part will be after market only.....Thanks again...

 

[achris]

Re: I know what it is but I don't know why it's here...with pics

...the tolerance ring is showing NLA from Marine Max and Mercruiser but was able to find the OEM part on the net.....soon that part will be after market only.....Thanks again...

Really???? I see it as part number -61075 and it's still a current part. Try the on-line dealers, it's $8.61....

Chris.....

 

[daydreamer1252]

Re: I know what it is but I don't know why it's here...with pics

Thanks achris....I have found one which is all I hope I'll need....but one of the largest (or the largest) Mercruiser dealers in the states, over 70 outlets are the ones to say NLA....not that there aren't many out there in dealer stock....so time will tell the tale....yes 61075 is the number I had too......and I got mine for $5.70 plus shipping of course......

 

[daydreamer1252]

Re: I know what it is but I don't know why it's here...with pics

In answer to my post#4 to this thread....the clearance of the bearing to the shaft is about as close to a press fit as you can get without actually being a press fit....used a puller (modified) to remove the bearing....shaft was ever so slightly rusty on the surface no burrs....removed O rings and tried to push the bearing up the shaft....no go....got emery cloth out and sanded to shiny metal all around and it fits but there is NO noticeable movement (wobble) of the bearing on the shaft....certainly less than 2 thou....I understand now how I got here.....Note to any who followed this thread....SAND the area where the bearing will ride SHINY clean on any driveshaft that has been out in the weather ....that little bit of surface rust is enough to cause you headaches and cost you money....

 

[bubbadabulldawg]

Re: I know what it is but I don't know why it's here...with pics

The very same thing happened to me today except I was removing the out drive to buy a rebuilt one because the pinion and drive gears were shattered and shavings everywhere. I couldn't get the drive off unless I unscrewed the pinion gear nut and it slid right off the drive shaft. But the drive shaft was still in the bell housing so I used a 15lb slide hammer to pull the drive shaft and the gimbal bearing came out stuck on the shaft! Using a hydraulic press to get the bearing free only to find no "O" rings and surface rust caused it to bond together! Make sure you align the hole in the bearing with the hole in the bearing bore otherwise no grease will get to the bearing. I marked the areas with a marker so i can see where they would align.

 

[svxtech]

Re: I know what it is but I don't know why it's here...with pics

most bearings now are perma lube, so if you spin the "cage" on the od of the bearing and don't see the fitting, don't worry about it, hammer down.. or hammer horizontally as the case may be...