SX Gimbal bearing is in pieces

[EdEnck]

I have a 98 VolvoPenta SX drive with a bad gimbal bearing. I've tried to read all of the similar threads and here is where I am:

I have pulled the drive, pivot housing, bellows... It looks like my gimbal bearing and drive bellows have exploded. The seal is still intact and there appears to be no damage to the bearing seating area. But, the edges of the flange on the gimbal housing are beat up. A few questions (this is my first DIY major surgery on an outdrive): 1.) can the flange be repaired - without replacing the entire housing. Only the part of the flange that connects to the bellows appears to be damaged, not where the bearing is seated. 2.) Is there any damage inside the seal (engine side) that I should look for due to the water intrusion/bearing damage? A finger inspection reveals only globs of grease in there. 3. Obviously there was a root cause to the damage. Damaged prop vibration or... besides aligning the shaft and checking the U-joint should I be looking for other damage or cause? Can I just replace the bearing, weld up the flange, close it up and hope for the best?

The damage was done during a week at Lake Powell (last week) so I am assuming that there is no long term water damage - rust... But then you know what assuming means.

Thanks!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: SX Gimbal bearing is in pieces

Post a picture if you can.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: SX Gimbal bearing is in pieces

I have a 98 VolvoPenta SX drive with a bad gimbal bearing. I've tried to read all of the similar threads and here is where I am:

I have pulled the drive, pivot housing, bellows... It looks like my gimbal bearing and drive bellows have exploded. The seal is still intact and there appears to be no damage to the bearing seating area. But, the edges of the flange on the gimbal housing are beat up. A few questions (this is my first DIY major surgery on an outdrive): 1.) can the flange be repaired - without replacing the entire housing. Only the part of the flange that connects to the bellows appears to be damaged, not where the bearing is seated. 2.) Is there any damage inside the seal (engine side) that I should look for due to the water intrusion/bearing damage? A finger inspection reveals only globs of grease in there. 3. Obviously there was a root cause to the damage. Damaged prop vibration or... besides aligning the shaft and checking the U-joint should I be looking for other damage or cause? Can I just replace the bearing, weld up the flange, close it up and hope for the best?

The damage was done during a week at Lake Powell (last week) so I am assuming that there is no long term water damage - rust... But then you know what assuming means.

Thanks!

Sorry to hear about your problem. Hopefully it didn't happen to early on Powell, that is one gorgeous place to houseboat. I'm sure you'll get some good help here with some pictures. Good luck.

 

[EdEnck]

Re: SX Gimbal bearing is in pieces

Thanks Guys - Pictures added.

Lake Powell was amazing even without the power boat. A neighboring housebout needed help - they were low on gas six hours from the nearest marina and I had an extra 100 gallons. They came back later and took all of the little kids tubing and the big kids wake boarding.

Thanks again,
Ed

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: SX Gimbal bearing is in pieces

That must have been making a growling/grinding noise for some time.
Just a guess but the housing looks trashed

 

[EdEnck]

Re: SX Gimbal bearing is in pieces

Notice the cracks on the drive joint

 

[EdEnck]

Re: SX Gimbal bearing is in pieces

Yah, but only a few hours. It had some noise a couple years ago but lubing the U-joint cleared it up.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: SX Gimbal bearing is in pieces

If I read that right, you had the drive off years ago.Like how many years ago.
Was the bearing ever greased? Ever notice some extra water in the bilge?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: SX Gimbal bearing is in pieces

Looks like a case of not removing the drive every year. When was the last time the bellows were changed?

 

[EdEnck]

Re: SX Gimbal bearing is in pieces

U-joints and bearing greased last year.

Professionally tunes and prepped in June for Powell trip. Vibration started just after that.

Ran it for several hours after vibration started. Then bang and lots of vibration and water leaking in. Beached the stern for the rest of the week. Towed home with no problem or water in bilge.

The real question is can the gimbal flange be repaired? Welded on to like a broken skeg? The housing is super expensive and can only be replaced by pulling the engine. Don't have the funds to do that and would like to get back on the water.

And can I expect any damage inside the flange that I can't see? The manual does not show a good view of how the shaft attaches to engine.

Thanks.

 

[EdEnck]

Re: SX Gimbal bearing is in pieces

Professionaly tuned that is.

Bellows may never have been changed. But it looked in good condition before the big gang and leak.

 

[cr2k]

Re: SX Gimbal bearing is in pieces

I can think of a fix by using some SS tubing sleeved to fit the remainder of the flange and necked to accept the bellows.

Check with a machine shop that does a lot of tubing stuff.

 

[cr2k]

Re: SX Gimbal bearing is in pieces

All I can say is if you have't been hearing that for awhile you must have one killer audio system! Rock On!

 

[EdEnck]

Re: SX Gimbal bearing is in pieces

I like the fix!

Care to give me a list of other maintanance items I should be doing while this is all apart.

Thanks again

P.S. No sound system but lots of inexperienced users in my houseboat crew. A couple years can go by without me getting to play captain. This year we took two "low income" Moms with their three adopted kids plus my 20 something daughter and half a dozen of her friends. Everyone agreed it was the best trip ever (our 15th trip to Lake Powell). The little kids had an absolute blast - even without the boat. They totally made the trip. As I said, a neighboring houseboat came by and took the kids tubing - they never whined or stopped having fun, eat whatever was set in front of them and never stopped saying thanks.