volvo penta gimble bearing problems

[william smith]

Volvo Penta Has Replaced The Gimble Bearing On 2001 5.7 Gsi With 1999 Dp Sm Out Drive 4 Times In The Last Four Years Without Question, This Time When I Contacted Volvo Penta They Sent Out A Field Tech To Look At The Boat, They Told Me He Took Pictures And Said There Was A Water Line On The Oil Pan And Water Got Into The Bering From Inside The Boat. The Boat Is Kept On The Trailer All The Time. I Went Down To The Boat And Did Not See Any Water Line On The Oil Pan Or On The Sides Of The Bilge. Has Any One Had Any Problems With This Outdrive? There Must Be A Reason This Keeps Happening.

 

[Don S]

Re: volvo penta gimble bearing problems

Yes, there is a reason. When I worked in Alaska, We had 2 boats with the DP-S drives have the same exact problem. Every year, water in the bellows and water in the gimbal bearing, ujoints, and into the drive. Volvo always paid for the repairs. But we had mad customers and looked at on our own.
We found a leaking plastic tube that goes from the gimbal bearing zirk on the outside of the transom shield to the gimbal bearing.
Got rid of that OMC plastic, push in tube. Tapped the hole and installed a SS 45? grease zirk.
Problem cured.
Volvo rep said it could not possibly be the problem. But bellow were dry for the following 2 years before I left.

PS: Turn off you caps lock, and you won't have every word capitalized.

 

[william smith]

Re: volvo penta gimble bearing problems

Don thanks for the info still fighting with Volvo. The owner at the marina still says that water came from inside the boat because the dammage is only on the back side of the bearing, Is this possible. Also Volvo agreed to pay for one hour of labor and new bearing. Volvo must know of some kind of problem, or why else would they pay at all, If I haft to I will pay for it and take them to court, thanks again, Bill Smith

 

[Don S]

Re: volvo penta gimble bearing problems

What is the Volvo SN for your engine or drive?
Have you had this boat since new? You still have OEM warranty????

 

[william smith]

Re: volvo penta gimble bearing problems

The sn is engine 4012049493 The drive sn is 4112084352, this has been going on from a lemon law suit that I won august 2003 against Volvo. Volvo has been fixing all problems without question. Like I said before this is the 4th time they have repaired the gimble bearing in the last 2 years now they are trying to blame it on me. Volvo will not give me any paper work on what they have repaired to date. This boat has not made through one full season without needing a repair. This motor and drive has a list of trouble a mile long.

 

[Don S]

Re: volvo penta gimble bearing problems

Well, you can either put the zirc in on your own and cure the problem, or have problems each year and more trips to the dealer. Your choice.

 

[william smith]

Re: volvo penta gimble bearing problems

Your right about that. Any idea on how many hours it takes to change the gimble bearing, thanks Bill

 

[Don S]

Re: volvo penta gimble bearing problems

Actually, they are doing a lot more than changing the gimbal bearing. Each time it got a ujoint assembly, new bellows, seals in the upper for the ujoint assembly, and the gimbal bearing. Gear lube change and all.
It was 6 to 7 hours allowed by warranty to the dealer plus over $500 in parts.
All because they won't (or still don't know about) putting a grease zirk in place of that stupid plastic tube.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: volvo penta gimble bearing problems

glad I am not the only idiot fighting that stupid tube.
there are ways to fix it yet volvo wont pay for the fix so I usually eat it.
fix is to tap the hole in the transom assy where the tup presses in and replace the plastic tube with a custom built SS tube.
works for me anyway.
DonS ya seen the price hike on the bracket and pin assy on the SX style transom assy.?
now its 269.
if ya wanna cure PM me and I have it.
been doing it since the cobra drive appereard.

 

[william smith]

Re: volvo penta gimble bearing problems

Ouch thanks for the info any way. To bad theres not some way to fight Volvo over this problem.

 

[summer madness]

Re: volvo penta gimble bearing problems

Hello Rodbolt or Don

I wanna cure to this problem. I have a 2001 dp-sm and had water in my bellow this year. I greased my own bearing last year and the nipple came off. I don't know for certain if this is the problem but after reading this it sure sounds like it could be. How does the grease tube go into the bearing area? Don it sounds like buying a new tube and nipple will not fix it. I have replaced my bellow this spring, however the 2 year old fresh water bellow seemed fine. Could you please explain or send me more info on the tapping fix. Thanks