Best place for Mercruiser tools?

[sixman]

I've got an ever growing list of tools I need but can't find a place that has all or most of them at a decent price - and suggestions?

So far I need....
Hinge pin tool
Shift cable tool - 9/16 socket
Bellows stretcher
Outdrive install tool

Also possibly alignment tool for the Gimbal bearing.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

Also possibly alignment tool for the Gimbal bearing.

That should be the first tool on your list...

Check eBay...

 

[Don S]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

Hinge pin tool- Not needed, use 1/2" allen wrench, cut off a straight piece and use a socket on the cutoff piece.

Shift cable tool - 9/16 socket- Weld two sockets together

Bellows stretcher - most people use the tube and not the bellows, so tool is not needed.

Outdrive install tool - Whatever that is, assuming it's that thing that holds the shift slide, a dab of grease works just as well.

Alignment bar - Needed at least once a year when you pull the drive for spline and bearing service. Ebay or make your own. Drawing in adults only sticky.

 

[mmajor97]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

Mr. Don, What kind of household items can I use to make a spanner wrench for the input shaft u-joint assembly? How about a bearing carrier puller?

 

[Don S]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

Best thing to do is start a new thread with your questions, and not hijack sixmans post with something different.

 

[mmajor97]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

I appologize, I assumed I was on the subject we were discussing in this thread.

 

[sixman]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

Fine by me - I'm interested in the home grown ways as well!

Don - is the bellow stretcher only for the exhaust bellows? I have a tube currently but wasn't sure if the bellows was better/worse.

 

[sixman]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

That should be the first tool on your list...

Check eBay...

Alpheus - why should it be the first tool - maybe I'm missing how important that is??

 

[Don S]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

Don - is the bellow stretcher only for the exhaust bellows? I have a tube currently but wasn't sure if the bellows was better/worse.

Yes, bellows only, not needed with the tube. The spanner wrench for the ujoint shaft retainer nut is a purchase item.
The alignment tool is needed every time you pull the outdrive off, which should be at minimum once a year. Without the alignment bar, you will not notice if a rear mount fails or the front mount moves or something happens that gets it out of alignment. When they are out of alignment, it will destroy the coupler, and you have to pull the engine to replace a coupler.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

And the exhaust bellows CAN be installed without the tool.

 

[sixman]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

And the exhaust bellows CAN be installed without the tool.

Gotcha - I'm a bit confused on the exhaust - bellows vs tube but it sounds like I only need a tool if I'm going to install the exhaust bellows and that its not needed for the main & shift cable bellows - sound right?

 

[slag]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

I've got an ever growing list of tools I need but can't find a place that has all or most of them at a decent price - and suggestions?

So far I need....
Hinge pin tool
Shift cable tool - 9/16 socket
Bellows stretcher
Outdrive install tool

Also possibly alignment tool for the Gimbal bearing.

- -
Hinge pin tool -- Get a 1/2 inch TORX socket from Advance Auto and pull it out of the socket holder and turn it around. It works great and wont strip out even with air tools. Cost me 6.99.
Shift cable tool - 9/16 socket --Normal socket from Sears works with nut welded on top. About 10 bucks
Bellows stretcher - Not needed, waste of money
Outdrive install tool -- ?

alignment tool for the Gimbal bearing-
Most swear by it, but I feel it is not needed. However, Amazon.com has probably one of the cheapest ones out there that works.

 

[Don S]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

alignment tool for the Gimbal bearing-
Most swear by it, but I feel it is not needed.

LOL, there's one in every crowd.
First of all, the alignment tool is not for the gimbal bearing, it's to align the coupler to the drive. The gimbal bearing just holds the other end of the drive shaft so it doesn't flop arround.

 

[sixman]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

- - Outdrive install tool -- ?

I saw it on another thread and it looked handy - maybe not needed?

http://www.mercstuff.com/shiftcable1.htm

 

[Don S]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

Nope, not needed. I've been putting drives on for well over 20 years and have never used it. Like I said earlier, a bit of grease where the roller goes into the guides holds it in place nicely when installing the drive.

 

[clockwatcher]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

I don't think it's been mentioned, but you need an outdrive oil filler pump and a dedicated grease gun with Merc grease. Some liquid electrical tape is handy for the wire connections on the motor and trim pump. Dielectric grease in the cheese-wiz type can works well to fight corrosion too. How about an Oil-Boy or the like to change your engine oil. Just a few things that come to mind.

 

[slag]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

LOL, there's one in every crowd.
First of all, the alignment tool is not for the gimbal bearing, it's to align the coupler to the drive. The gimbal bearing just holds the other end of the drive shaft so it doesn't flop arround.

Right, but not needed if all you are doing is pulling the outdrive and replacing the gimbal bearing as the relative position of the gimbal bearing and coupler will not change.

 

[Don S]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

Right, but not needed if all you are doing is pulling the outdrive and replacing the gimbal bearing as the relative position of the gimbal bearing and coupler will not change.

Ok, what ever you say

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

Gotcha - I'm a bit confused on the exhaust - bellows vs tube but it sounds like I only need a tool if I'm going to install the exhaust bellows and that its not needed for the main & shift cable bellows - sound right?

Right. No bellows stretcher needed for the u-joint shaft bellows nor the shift bellows. It is designed for the near end of the exhaust bellows.

 

[sixman]

Re: Best place for Mercruiser tools?

clockwatcher - good point. I'm still not sure what to lube, grease, tape and/or otherwise coat with a oily substance. Need to get those on the list as well.