Bellows/Gimbal replacment

[freak007]

I pulled my drive unit for repairs and further inspection revealed the bellows were leaking as well, the gimbal bearing is a little rough so it will be getting replaced... The U-joints are still smooth... Judging from the pics, anything else I should be concerned with?

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh258/freak007/STA70055.jpg
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh258/freak007/STA70062.jpg


What tools do I need to do the gimbal bearing and the bellows? I remember reading on one website that I needed something like $400 in "special" tools... But THIS website suggests I could probably get by without a slide hammer and bearing driver... and I remember reading during my extensive search that I can use a 1/2" allen wrench in lieu of the "hinge pin tool"... What do I REALLY need, and what can I substitute or get by without?

 

[Don S]

Re: Bellows/Gimbal replacment

Don't even consider mercstuffs idea of replacing only the inner part. replace the whole bearing. here is the Mercruiser service bulletin about that practice of replacing only part of a bearing.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Bullet/85/85_26.pdf

Then use the next link for the OEM service manual. Just go to the outline and click on the section letter you want to view/download.
Section 4A is what you want.

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

You should also change the ujoints while you have it apart, they DO have water in them. They may feel fine, but rust has started and soon you will have vibration and/or noise and have to pull it apart again.

 

[Pbear]

Re: Bellows/Gimbal replacment

I had a 1976 Merc stern drive and did the full monty with the bellows etc a few years back. Didnt need any special tools and got it to work. Mind you I used wood blocks and a hammer to press bearings into place - lol.

One thing I would do is check your transom bearing and repalce it if any slight signs of wear. -

Its a ***** to get back to next year after you got er all back together. Also not sure what model yours is but the old merc had the tilt hydraulic lines coming out from that mess as well so I replaced thsoe too.


I had a full repair manual at hand and would never attempt without it. Also be careful when removing bearing retainer rings and such. If you dont have feeler guages or experieince with setting things using them, Mark exactly where they were - especially with thread in type retainers so you can reinstall to same tolerances and preload pressures.
In general - have a good inspection of everything once you got er apart, because once its back together you dont want to go in there again untill you need to do those bellows again.

Also - point to note: I took the old transom bearing out and found and match at a bearing supply company for $ 27.00 bucks - Quicksilver part was $ 184.00 and no different. Did the same for the bearings at the top end of the drive unit. so parts weren't horrendous.
Hope this info helps you out

 

[ziggy]

Re: Bellows/Gimbal replacment

i had less rust on my ujoints than you do. so i went for a yoke and ft. seal inspection too..... good thing too. the yoke had rust on it and needed to be replaced..... i also heeded what the gimble brg. sb that dons posted says....

 

[freak007]

Re: Bellows/Gimbal replacment

Ok, I will be replacing my whole drive unit and U joint assembly with a SE unit because my lower is damaged and the upper has the incorrect drive ratio...

Is the SE transom seal kit a decent piece? It is onre of the cheapest I found... and if it is decent I will order it with my drive...

As far as tools go, sterndrives.com claims I need the following tools to do the bellows/gimbal bearing:

Bellows Expansion Tool
Driver Rod
Driver Head
Gimbal Bearing Collar Tool
Engine Alignment Tool
Slide Hammer Kit
Hinge Pin Tool

I have access to a slide hammer kit, so no worries there. I remember reading that I can use a 1/2" allen wrench to remove the pivot pins (will find out soon). The expansion tool seems to be REQUIRED... I have a seal/bearing driver set, so the driver/rod should be covered (right?) The collar tool, what does it do?is it required? Also, can I use my old driveshaft (U-joint assembly) as an engine alignment tool?

 

[Don S]

Re: Bellows/Gimbal replacment

You need an alighment bar, ebay 40 to 60 bucks.
Driver Rod, Driver Head, and Gimbal Bearing Collar Tool are used together to install the gimbal bearing without damage.

 

[Pbear]

Re: Bellows/Gimbal replacment

I used the old gimbal bearing retainer ring as the bearing collar tool, a block of wood, and a big hammer to get the gimbal/transom bearing in. Im not here to recommend that procedure, but it did work fine for me, and is still working.

It was a bit tricky keeping the old ring lined up on the new bearing, but a bit of thick grease helped it kind of stick in place till i got the wood to it - lol.

The was the old 30 miles from nowwhere out at the lake improvisation trick.

 

[freak007]

Re: Bellows/Gimbal replacment

OK, I have finally gotten nearly everything disassembled, I still need to finish removing the trim switches


I am thinking more and more about the tools I need to reassemble everything... here are my thoughts:

For the pivot pins I used a 1/2" Allen wrench + a 3' "cheater bar"... to reinstall I will "modify" the Allen wrench (IE cut a piece off it, slide one end into a 1/2" socket and the other into the pivot pin) so it will work with my torque wrench...

I used my slide hammer to remove the old gimbal bearing and carrier, as well as the grease seal.

I think I am going to use an exhaust tube instead of bellows (no need for bellow tool)

I removed the carrier and interference ring from the gimbal bearing, I have a driver in my ball-joint press kit that fits the carrier perfectly, I think I can use the old carrier + my driver + slide hammer or brass drift to install the new seal and bearing assembly (I can take pics if this sounds confusing)

I am thinking about removing the O-rings from the input yoke and the input yoke from the old drive, and welding a extension onto it to use as a alignment tool...


Do my "special tools" sound like they will work?

What is the Mercruiser PN for the transom seal kit with the tube instead of the bellows?

BTW the drive is a 1984 MR (?) on a 120 Hp 2.5L. The drive is being replaced with a SE106

 

[freak007]

Re: Bellows/Gimbal replacment

while I guess 3 hours of searching wasn't enough... I needed 3 hours and 20 minutes... I am 99% sure the part number I need is 30-803098T1 ... If that is wrong please let me know


Still wondering if those who have done this before think that my tools will work...

Does anyone know if the Mercruiser transom seal kit includes the gimbal bearing grease seal?

Also can I use rubber cement for the bellows adhesive, or is the Mercruiser stuff something special?