Stupid gimbal bearing ?

Wingnutt · Dec 14, 2003

Since my current boat is the first one that I've held onto for more than a year and done my own service on, I need some basic info. Just what exactly is the gimbal bearing and where is it located.

I will be pulling the Alpha I off this winter (oops it's winter already) and doing the maintance on it that probably should have done last year. I see this subject brought every once in a while, but have never seen an explination as to what it is and what it does and how to service it. TIA

Seaboo2 · Dec 14, 2003

Re: Stupid gimbal bearing ?

What it is - It is a bearing the driveshaft rides in (between the outdrive and the inboard). It goes round and round (sorry I couldn't help it, I had to say it). It is just a bearing between where the inboard and the outdrive join (thru the boat). The service is pretty much limited to checking (looking for rust, making sure it is free) , and greeseing (witch is done thru a fitting outside of the outdrive) or replacing. If the drive shaft bellows isn't broken, it is typically good.

crazy charlie · Dec 15, 2003

Re: Stupid gimbal bearing ?

After the drive is off you will need to put your hand in the bellows and place your finget on the flat part of the bearing and turn it.It should move absolutely free and smoothe.You should feel nothing.As stated before the grease fitting is outside the bellhousing and you should give it 4-6 pumps Charlie

Wingnutt · Dec 16, 2003

Re: Stupid gimbal bearing ?

crazy charlie Is the grease fitting inside the boat or out on the stern drive? If the bearing isn't silky smooth, what is involved in replacing it? Thanks

Walt T · Dec 16, 2003

Re: Stupid gimbal bearing ?

Lots of swear words.

crazy charlie · Dec 16, 2003

Re: Stupid gimbal bearing ?

The fitting should be on the outside of the bellhousing.Some are right on top and some on the side.Grease every fitting you see,when you pull the drive you will be able to see if it got grease or not.If you dont have water intrusion and corrosion the bearing is not too tough to replace.Get the manual if you are doing it yourself.you will need a puller.If there has been water leaking in there then the job gets tougher.The corrosion holding the bearing in place is a b1tch .Charlie

Wingnutt · Dec 16, 2003

Re: Stupid gimbal bearing ?

I guess I'm being dense here, but by saying the bellhousing, are you refering to the part that bolts to the engine like on a car?

That's what comes to mind when I hear the word.

Bondo · Dec 17, 2003

Re: Stupid gimbal bearing ?

but by saying the bellhousing, are you refering to the part that bolts to the engine like on a car?

No, Technically, There is No bellhousing like you're asking(bolted to the engine), That part on a boat is the Flywheel Cover, it also includes the rear motor mounts...... The Bell Housing on an Outdrive driven Boat is the Bell shaped, Helmet looking part that the Outdrive Upper Housing bolts too...... This is the inner part with the Up/Down pivit points on the sides, connecting it to the Gimbal Ring(the part with the Up/Down,+ the left/right pivit points).... It's Also Sometimes called the Gimbal Housing(which is More Correct)....

Badger99 · Dec 17, 2003

Re: Stupid gimbal bearing ?

REPAIR OF GIMBLE BEARING IM803 1) Remove stern drive, separate instructions 2) Clean surface of bearing with cloth 3) Insert two fingers in bearing and rotate back and forth 4) If bearing feels hard or gritty when turned it must be changed 5) If water is found inside the bellows look for a hole in the side 6) If pressure with your finger in the folds of the bellows punctures it, replace it 7) Inspect the front of the old bearing for two notches on the outer shell 8) These notches are the location for the removal of the center bearing 9) The actual bearing rotates in this shell like an eye in a socket 10) With the blade of a large screwdriver hit the outer edge of the bearing 11) The force should be 1/2 way between the notches and flip it flat 12) Pull the bearing out of the notches and discard 13) Remove the new bearing from its shell and insert it into the old shell then flip it upright. 14) Be careful that the oil hole on the side of the inner bearing is away from you when flipped up of grease will not reach the bearing 15) In the case where Mercruiser has installed the bearing with the notches away from you the entire assembly must be removed 16) There are several ways to remove the bearing housing, first connect a bearing pull or slap hammer to the inside and remove it 17) In the case of stubborn bearings a threaded bolt can be used to pull from the face of the bell housing 19) To replace the bearing put the old housing on top of the new assembly and drive it to the stop in the hole. Be sure the notches are facing you so it will be easy next time That should Help Badger

crazy charlie · Dec 17, 2003

Re: Stupid gimbal bearing ?

Sorry Wingnut,you asked if the fitting was on the outside of the boat or the inside and i didnt say.The outside of the boat is where you want to be.As you remove the drive you cant help but see the fittings except for the one on the side.You will have to look around the side a bit to see it.Looks like you got some sound advice in the meanwhile.Charlie

hoot · Dec 17, 2003

Re: Stupid gimbal bearing ?

as one who has done this, i can appreciate D-Walts comment. what kind of maintenance are you doing? pulling the outdrive is not something you want to do every year. normal operation maintenance can be done with the outdrive in place. some advice: get a good manual, read the sections before you start, search forums for advice, post questions. all this helped me.

Walt T · Dec 17, 2003

Re: Stupid gimbal bearing ?

Yep, doing thses jobs has made me the eloquent man I am today.

crazy charlie · Dec 17, 2003

Re: Stupid gimbal bearing ?

I disagree Hoot.The drive SHOULD be removed every year.This makes for an easy removal,allows you to grease ujoints,inspect gimbal,inspect bellows for water intrusion,grease cable slide and more.If the drive was not removed and there was water intrusion in the bellows and it sat over the winter ,you would have a rude awakening on launch day come spring.No one enjoys pulling the drive not to mention putting it back on,but it is one of the best steps of preventative maintenance one can ever perform.Charlie

Bondo · Dec 18, 2003

Re: Stupid gimbal bearing ?

crazy charlie is Right..... There's Allot of Preventive Maintaince that Can't be performed without removing the outdrive...... 8 nuts,+ Less than 10 minutes Can save you 1000s of Dollars......

Wingnutt · Dec 21, 2003

Re: Stupid gimbal bearing ?

Thanks for all the replys. One more question, the boat is an '89 Regal with a Merc 4.3 and Alpha 1 stern drive. I'm waiting on the manual, but want to pull the drive this weekend, so with that, is there a throttle setting (neutral or drive) that it needs to be in to pull the drive?

djvan · Dec 22, 2003

Re: Stupid gimbal bearing ?

Alpha one = install/remove in forward gear. If you crawl under and look where the shift shafts meet you will see why. DougV>

crazy charlie · Dec 22, 2003

Re: Stupid gimbal bearing ?

As Djvan states forward is where you should be to remove and install.Make sure that if you take the drive apart to be certain the drive is still in fwd when you put the 2 halves back together.When in storage I usuall pull the controls from fwd to reverse which will keep the slide arm on the bellhousing to the in position instead of fully extended which tends to hang a bit.Charlie

Stupid gimbal bearing ?

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