Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing knock?

[mylesm260]

mid 80's alpha-MR drive
Originally had round coupler, installed new triangualr coupler and new spline shaft (yoke). Also replaced the rear engine bellhousing/rear motor mount (to have enough room for new engine coupler)

While installing the new coupler and shaft, I also installed a new gimbal bearing.

Rather than obtaining and using the correct driver tool, I used the old "bearing carrier" and a 2x4 and a hammer, and drove the new gimbal bearing and carier into my transom plate.


Now at 80-100% stearing on the left or the right side, I get a knocking sound, sounds like a u-joint is being compressed too much while it's trying to turn.

I'm 99% sure I bottomed out the bearing carier in the transom plate. (I hit it several times after it stopped moving) Someone on here said that the center bearing must be supported during installation, which I obviously didn't do. Could this be the cause of my problem?




Also, on a side note, the new coupler got some styrofoam stuck in it during shipping, Because it also had a bunch of grease in it, the styrofoam got stuck, I'm pretty sure I got most of it out, but there may be a small piece stuck in there. I made the mistake of oppening up the coupler to look at it and then put it back in the shipping box full of small pieces of styrofoam.


Either way I have to pull my leg off, I'm just trying to figure out if driving my bearing in that way would have caused this or you guys think driving it in that way is okay. The old bearing carier put presure JUST on the outside of the new bearing carier, the actual bearing assembly itself wasn't touched (just subjected to a bunch of sharp movements without support from the proper driving tool)

Basically, I need to know if I should order a driver tool and new bearing or not =) I need to order a gasket anyway.

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

I bought the special tool, and I still ended up with the knock. I replaced the U-Joints, still got knock.

Haven't tracked it down just yet, but I'd be interested to see what the consensus is.

I really don't see why you'd NEED to support the center of the bearing. As I recall (not looking at my tool right now) the only purpose that the center "support" part served, was to keep the driver centered on the outer edge of the bearing carrier.

If you didn't hit the bearing itself, it shouldn't matter, IMHO.

Did you use an OEM bearing? I used some aftermarket brand, and I'm wondering if that's part of the problem. Might have just been a sub-par bearing to start with...

 

[mylesm260]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

Are you getting the knock at 80% + turning?


I agree that the tool only looks like it centers the tool on the bearing.

I actually notched my 2x4 to remain centered on the old bearing carier, and I was very carefull in driving it in.


You didn't by chance switch to a different style coupler, did you?

I think I've got some styrofoam stuck in my coupler, and that could be a factor.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

I think I've got some styrofoam stuck in my coupler, and that could be a factor.

You've mentioned the Styrofoam a couple of times now. I have no idea how you can get Styrofoam stuck in the coupler. You knew it was there, but couldn't get it all out? O you didn't know it was there, and now you wonder? That's something I've never heard of.

You might take a straight tool - like a line up tool (not an alignment bar - a tool like a punch without the point) and tap it around the outside of the gimbal bearing and see if it will go in further. I don't think your procedure is a problem, I have put quite a few gimbal bearings in using the old outer ring as a tool to properly knock it in.

 

[mylesm260]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

When I originally bought the coupler, I had it delvered to my cabin, which is 40 miles away in the US. When I was down there, I opened the protective plastic wrap around the coupler itself because I wanted to look at it and thew it back in the box. Then I drove it back to canada. When I finaly went to install it, lots of small pieces of styrofoam fell into the coupler openning, which was pre-greased from the factory. It made a bit of a sticky mess inside.


Before I installed it, I used a small piece of coat-hanger and scrapped what I thought was all of the styrofoam and most of the grease.

Now that it's all thrown together, and making this sound, looking back, I think there may be some small pieces left inside (which may be preventing the coupler shaft from entering all the way.


Since then I've ruled out the coupler/spline/leg/engine/motormount combination that I'm running. Apearantly a triangular coupler, and associated spline shaft and rear motormount is common on an MR leg.


I was just trying to make sure it wasn't gimbal bearing related (in case I had to order a new one)

I'm just going to order the gasket, pull the leg off, and somehow scrape all the grease out of the coupler and see if there is any styrofoam left inside.

And maybe while I'm at it, I'l put my 2x4 - bearing carier combination back in there and hit it a few more times, make sure it's bottomed out.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

look in manual 6, explains housing noise and how the input shaft will hit the carrier and cause clicking/clacking noises if not fully seated

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

i think bt doctur is correct; i cant see how the styrofoam could be tough enough or have enough of it to cause the noise you are having

 

[mylesm260]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

Manual-6? Are you talking about the mercruiser manual, section 6?

Does anyone have a link to download a PDF of the manual? the one I have is as old as my boat (from the 80's)



So if your saying you don't think that the styrofoam could be causing it (if there is even any in there) than what should I do? replace my new gimbal bearing?

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

i'm not sure of the link. i have mine saved to a file.
i'm still looking in the manual for the part about the noise
i think your on the right track checking the gimble bearing. my boat had a new gimble bearing installed last summer and when i bought it, it made the noise you are discribing. the dealer i bought the boat from said it was u-joints and i paid them 350 to change. long story short no change in noise after this and new complete drive shaft.
i'v had leg off 3 times looking for problems but as gimble bearing was just changed didnt check that.
i have a new mercrusier bearing coming and as soon as it gets here i'm checking and changing mine out
hence my intrest in your post

 

[mylesm260]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

I changed quite a few things at once, including retrofitting some new stuff into an old setup, so I wasn't even sure what my problem was

Would you mind emailling me the manual? myles@outlookbps.com


much appreciated!

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

WELL GOOD NEWS for me i think
my bearing got here at 8pm last night so i pulled the drive this morning. i found the bearing in backwards, the tic mark to the out side, and flush with the case instead of 1/6 to 1/8 of an inch in.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

THANKS Bt Doctur. i think you just had another post on another thread to check this allso.
good luck mylesm hope this is your prob to
this was missed by 2 shops the one that put it in and the one that changed my u-joints and then told me that would take care of problem
any how hope to have back on water to check for sure this afternoon or tomorow. will post results

 

[mylesm260]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

I installed my gimbal bearing myself....

When installing it, I noticed that the bearing was installed in a casing. The casing has an opeening on the one side the the bearing was pressed into.

I installed the bearing/casing assembly with the opening facing the front of the boat (towards the engine).

Did I install my bearing/casing correctly? or is mine backwards aswell? I don't remember seeing a "tick"



Something else interesting, the manual mentions a retrofit "c-clip" kit for the u-joints that is suposed to prevent stearing knock (I guess only if the old c-clips are the cause)

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

Installing the gimbal bearing with the opening or "tick" forward or aft doesn't matter. Mercruiser used to install them with the opening facing aft, but discovered that some were simply replacing the bearing and not the entire assembly. So they turned it around to prevent that. But it will fit either way. You just have to make sure the hole is lined up with the grease fitting.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

yea i looked at both sides and if installed with the tic,realy a small 1/4" or so dip, the bearing other wise looks the same as fishermark stated.
i marked bearing and housing with a marking pen so i think the grease holes are in line. will pump grease in to make sure before i put drive on
my problem now is with the new bearing bottomed out the alinement bar wont go in so i'm going to have to aline engine now
is this normal after changing bearing? i'm guessing it is and it's no big deal.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

You need to set the bearing once it is installed. Put your alignment bar in through the bearing and back as far as it will go - without force. Tap the end of the bar in all four directions - left, right, up and down. That sets the bearing into the race. Then you can align the engine.

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

Yup, don't start moving the engine until you've set the bearing. It may take several tries to wiggle it all straight. It has to be perfectly lined up with the coupler, or you'll never get it aligned.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

thanks again; i was going to try to line it up and just came in to check manual.
its a good thing for me you fellas are willing to baby sit

 

[mylesm260]

Re: Anyone ever had/heard of an improperly installed gimbal bearing cause stearing kn

If you find you havn't found anything wrong, try calling your parts guy and getting this:

53-12067

My local guy quoted me 70 cents each (I need 8 of them)

They're an upgraded C-clip, and the manual says they can sometimes be the solution to stearing knock.


I'm going to try:
A: cleaning out my coupler to make sure there is no crap in there
B: tapping my bearing in some more (manual says you should see at least 1/8 of the bore behind the bearing or it's not seated)
C: re-center my bearing (left-right-up-down)
D: tripple check my engine alignment
E: install the new-C-clips

If it still makes noise after that, than I plan to make baby jesus cry by letting loose a barage of cursing! =)