Help! Gimbal bearing and housing

[birdy3897]

what do I need to pull the Gimbal bearing out of a 1978 mercruiser set-up? Also, how do I remove the Gimbal housing after taking off the bellows?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help! Gimbal bearing and housing

No Need to pull the Gimbel Housing.......

Just Pull the Outdrive,+ the Gimbel Bearing comes Out thru the same Hole......

 

[birdy3897]

Re: Help! Gimbal bearing and housing

Yeah, but I need to pull gimbal housing because I am trying to figure out why by out drive has so much play in the steering. I am told it has something to to with a pin that is accessed after removing the gimbal housing. It should also make it easier to replace bellows.

 

[firehog6305]

Re: Help! Gimbal bearing and housing

Ok, I have pulled several gimbal bearing out, after the outdrive is removed, if you look inside you will see the gimbal bearing, now the make a special tool that I borrowed from a friend to remove mine the last time, and it worked great and fast. It was like a gear puller, and when you tighten down the nut the bear just came right out, but for those other times when I didnt use the right tool, I have tried and got it out with a slide hammer, and if it wont move still, well the bearing is setting in a round sleeve, take a long piece of metal and hit it with a hammer on one edge (outside edge) of the bearing and it should turn the bearing sideways in the sleeve, then at least you can tie somthing around it and yank it out, they are not thtat hard once you get it to move, I'm never taking of the housing itself sorry, and I'm sure you will get more advice from the specialist on here

 

[birdy3897]

Re: Help! Gimbal bearing and housing

Alright everyone, thanks for the adivce, but I am working on more than just the gimbal bearing as I was saying in my original post. I am wondering who here has taken off the gimbal housing itself and how it's done on a 1978 mercruiser application. I believe there are some type of pins holding it on that are accessed after you take off the trim sending and postion units but I am not sure.

 

[birdy3897]

Re: Help! Gimbal bearing and housing

Sorry, I meant I need to pull the bell housing, not the gimbal housing.

 

[firehog6305]

Re: Help! Gimbal bearing and housing

you know, I'm trying to remember when I did mine. I have had the bellhousing off on both the 120 and 140 mercs, 120 was 1969, and 140 was 1996, I pulled my engines out for rebuilding, and I dont remember any pins that got in the way, sorry I dont have my manuals anymore for merc's other wise I'd look it up for you

 

[xltier]

Re: Help! Gimbal bearing and housing

there are pins under the trim switches that require a special socket.sierra sells thems,i think a 1/2 inch hex head will get u by if there not to tite.u may need to heat them if they have lock-tite on them.but i think u need to remove the gimbal ring to repair your steering prob.been there

 

[birdy3897]

Re: Help! Gimbal bearing and housing

They are half inch, but are they threaded? Do I just turn the head left or what? thanks, birdy

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help! Gimbal bearing and housing

They are half inch, but are they threaded?

Ayuh,..........

Sure Are..........

 

[Jeremy420]

Re: Help! Gimbal bearing and housing

Yes half inch allen wrench or 1/2 allen socket. threaded lefty loosey..lol The manual is helpful.. let us know other questions I have the manual!

Bearing comes out with 3 jaw bearing puller and slide hammer if its not rusted.. Drive back in with large bearing driver driving on the outside radius of the carrier.. make sure you go in straight and keep checking..