Pre-Alpha MR-I Gimble Housing ring worn - GHR repair kit opinion??

[Blueghost924]

Hi, I'm still working on my project boat and now I'm focused on getting the stern drive area worked. I've noticed that the gimble housing ring has the typical Mercruiser worn area on the underside, which is going to be problematic getting the bellows to clamp and seal. I've seen the GHR repair kits for this problem, but I'm just not sure of their success rate. Anyone have any experience with this type of repair kit, or have any good solid ideas for repairing this area?

 

[achris]

The most common 'repair' for that sort of corrosion damage is to replace the housing...

 

[stonyloam]

Go look on eBay, bet you can get a nice used gimbal housing for less than the kit. Like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercruiser-A...d88bbd&vxp=mtr

 

[Fishermark]

Go look on eBay, bet you can get a nice used gimbal housing for less than the kit.

I absolutely agree with that. It is ridiculous what they charge for that kit. I too looked into it a few years ago. I have no idea the success rate, but I know you can find a good used assembly if you look around.

 

[Blueghost924]

No Title

Thanks for all the feedback - and I'm glad I asked before rushing out there and getting one. I'm going to get a good condition used one.

Offhand, I'm "assuming" I have a MC-I/R/MR housing, but I hate to assume. The boat it's on is a 1986 Renkin 21 foot (the 470 is not the original). I took a picture of the assembly, but that may not be tale tell enough. The serial number on the ring is very faint, but I can make out "0C" as the first 2 characters. The rest look like "474477".

 

[achris]

'0C' makes it an Alpha One.

 

[Blueghost924]

Thanks Chris - I'm glad I stopped and asked before moving buying!

 

[stonyloam]

"86" (if original) should be an Alpha I. check the upper port side of the gimbal housing, should have a serial number and gear ratio stamped. See if your SN is between these numbers: http://www.mercruiserparts.com/selec...e%29+1983-1990 open the hypertext for your parts diagrams. Oops missed Chris's post, agree.

 

[Blueghost924]

Thanks Terry/Chris. There is one particular used Alpha 1 on EBay that appears to be in good condition that I'm interested in. In the description, the seller does say "Steering has 1/4"of end play". Not sure if that would be of any concern or not.

 

[stonyloam]

Sounds to me like there is some side to side play in either the steering arm or gimbal ring or the swivel pins. Might want to clarify where the " play" is. It would probably be a good idea to get the serial number from the seller to make sure it is really an Alpha I. They are pretty easy misidentify.

 

[Blueghost924]

The seller is stating "...the end play is measured at the end of the steering arm. I do not know what the culprit of the play is." Also, the serial number begins with "0C"...looks to be the Alpha 1.

 

[stonyloam]

OK that play is due to either a loose or worn steering lever, or loose or worn gimbal ring. The steering lever clamps onto the small square section of the upper swivel pin, and the gimbal ring clamps onto the larger square. Like this: https://www.mercruiserparts.com/Sho...&bnbr=50&bdesc=GIMBAL+RING+AND+STEERING+LEVER Retoquing the clamping bolts on the steering arm and the ring may remove the play. You could ask the seller to Retorque the two gimbal ring clamping screws (55 ft lb.) to see if that removes the play, if it does you should be OK. if it does not, or he will not do it, then it may be best to look for another one.

 

[achris]

It's possible the upper swivel shaft is a 'square-spline', in which case a new upper swivel shaft and steering arm would solve the problem. If it's a 'square-square' and still has that sort of movement, pass it by and find another one.

 

[stonyloam]

It's possible the upper swivel shaft is a 'square-spline', in which case a new upper swivel shaft and steering arm would solve the problem. If it's a 'square-square' and still has that sort of movement, pass it by and find another one.

Yeah, problem is the square/spline is NLA, and if you do find them it would be about $250. The sq/sq ans sq/sp gimbal housings do have different part numbers (check the diagram) https://www.mercruiserparts.com/sele...?doc_nbr=99964 so you could check that. Having the same prefix, chances are good your parts are interchangeable. I will disagree with Chris a little here, in that if re torquing the clamping screws removes ALL of the play then you should be OK. If not then find another, or since you only really Need the housing, offer a reduced price.

 

[Blueghost924]

I don't think the seller is quite sure about the exact worn part of the problem, so I may move on to another unit. When I asked, the reply was "The end play is measured at the end of the steering arm, but that's all I can tell you".