Replacing Gimble and U-joint

[atistang]

1989 3.0 merc with alpha 1 drive

i'm sure that one of the two needs replacing as when trimmed all the way down, or up, and while turning i am getting a loud noise at the outdrive

my question is how do i do it?

I think i just pull the outdrive and the u-joint is right there?

what about the gimble? any special tools i need?

 

[fraannk]

Re: Replacing Gimble and U-joint

I just did both after my wife started the motor with the sterndrive in the trailer position. The major tool you need to use is the search function on this forum. Other than that you really can get by with only an alignment bar. A u-joint/ball joint puller and a rear axle bearing puller with slide hammer can be rented for free from your local auto parts store.

 

[atistang]

Re: Replacing Gimble and U-joint

So your not suppose to run it anywhere in the trailer position? I usually raise mine up into the trailer possition a bit when loading and unloading

 

[fraannk]

Re: Replacing Gimble and U-joint

Not sure about anywhere in the trailer position. My wife started ours with it all the way up and then we ran it for about an hour on the lake before it broke the ujoint and tore the bellows in half. Luckily the ujoint caught and would propel the boat in idle. When I took off the sterndrive the ujoint assembly came out in two pieces.

 

[sethjon]

Re: Replacing Gimble and U-joint

You never run it with the OD up.