maintenance free gimbal bearing

[alandchris]

2010 GXi-J / SX drive
if it's true that my 2010 volvo has a maintenance free gimbal bearing - would it be advisable just to grease the driveshaft "only" when reinstalling the drive - or perhaps to put a light coat of grease on the outside of the gimbal by hand before reinstalling the drive.

is maintenance free 'truly' maintenance free

and finally, if mechanics are OK on the boat, under normal usage and proper maintenance, how long would one expect a maintenance free gimbal bearing to last ?

 

[Don S]

Re: maintenance free gimbal bearing

is maintenance free 'truly' maintenance free

They are a sealed bearing, there is nothing you can do to it?

or perhaps to put a light coat of grease on the outside of the gimbal by hand before reinstalling the drive

Does rubbing your food on your stomach help when you are hungry?

how long would one expect a maintenance free gimbal bearing to last ?

Look at my avatar, notice the crack in the crystal ball ????

Basically, they are a sealed bearing, there is nothing you can do to them, that's why they are called maintenance free. Even if you installed the old style bearing, there isn't any way to grease it. When it starts making noise, you replace it.

 

[alandchris]

Re: maintenance free gimbal bearing

ouch, if i had any feelings, that reply would have hurt them

i guess i was thinking that if i would leave the drive off for the winter, maybe a light coat of grease would keep the rust from forming on it.

as for the cracked crystal ball - was this after the winter ? apparently you forgot to drain it properly before the winter set it !

thx again Don for all your advice these past few days/weeks - much appreciated.

 

[Don S]

Re: maintenance free gimbal bearing

i guess i was thinking that if i would leave the drive off for the winter, maybe a light coat of grease would keep the rust from forming on it.

You probably should have mentioned that, I thought you was expecting the grease to suck in when you ran it or something. Stranger things have been expected by people in the past.
As long as it doesn't get wet, there shouldn't be any problems, But, put some grease on it if it makes you feel better, won't hurt anything.

as for the cracked crystal ball - was this after the winter ? apparently you forgot to drain it properly before the winter set it !

Nah ..... no water in it, it cracked several years ago from all the "How long will ____Fill in the blank____ last" type questions.