Am I Destroying My Boat? Gimbal Bearing Question

[sub2010ss]

So I tore into my drive because I was getting some water intrusion and some rumbling noise from the back. I all of my bellows out and working on getting the bearing out. The sad part about this story is the bellows all looked tight and my bearing didn't look that bad, but the parts are on their way and I already have it apart. Only problem is this bearing refuses to budge. Im using a slide hammer and an axle bearing removal tool. The bearing remover wouldn't open up and I read that I could possibly pull the seal and the bearing out at the same time, so thats what I am trying. Ive been hammering on this for what feels like too long and I honestly can't even tell if its moved. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[sub2010ss]

Also, I doubt it matters as they all seem the same, but my drive is an Alpha 1 Gen 2.

 

[NHGuy]

Rig up one of those pullers instead of a hammer. Use threaded rod and a piece across the transom plate and pull it out.

 

[sub2010ss]

Thanks for the input, sadly I have to say some redneck ingenuity(not mine) was all it took. A few sprays from a can of keyboard duster upside down made it just cold enough to slip right out. I swear beating on that thing for over 20 minutes and all it took was a $3 can of air.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Nice solution.

 

[JerryIrons]

Yeah I wouldn't call it redneck at all. Actually it's pretty clever.

 

[BillysBoat1986]

What an awesome idea! I'll have to remember that next time I do a bearing.

 

[harleyman1975]

Brilliant! Way to think outside the box...somebody promote this guy!

 

[sub2010ss]

Haha. I plan on using the same method to put the new bearing in. It's in the freezer now!