Can you remove gimbal bearing from inside the hull?

[Hogger]

While I wait to get the new engine, I'm doing a bunch of maintenance and repairs on the boat, and figure it's a perfect time to replace the gimbal bearing.

With the engine removed, would it be easier to remove and replace it from the engine compartment side of the transom?
Maybe instead of pulling it out with a special pulling tool, I could tap it out with a proper sized piece of pipe.

 

[Don S]

Re: Can you remove gimbal bearing from inside the hull?

No.......

 

[Don S]

Re: Can you remove gimbal bearing from inside the hull?

Well, after your edit, my reply doesn't mean much. To answer your original question, NO, you can not remove the gimbal bearing from inside the boat. you have to remove the drive. It's a 10 minute job.
Besides, you have to remove the drive before you install the new engine so you can align it.

 

[picklenjim]

Re: Can you remove gimbal bearing from inside the hull?

If it looks like you can do it like that then do it. Sounds easier than using a puller from the outside........whatever it might be your working on.

 

[Don S]

Re: Can you remove gimbal bearing from inside the hull?

whatever it might be your working on.

There isn't a gimbal bearing known to man that can be replaces from inside the boat, and Maxum uses Mercruisr.

 

[Hogger]

Re: Can you remove gimbal bearing from inside the hull?

The out drive is off, since that's how I removed the engine.
Without the engine there, it just looks like it might be easy to tap it out.
Has anyone tried it?
Why can't it be done?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Can you remove gimbal bearing from inside the hull?

If I recall correctly there is a grease seal between the inside of the gimbal housing and the bearing, so from the inside of the boat you will likely be driving against the grease seal rather than the bearing and destroy it in the process. Not that it does a lot, it is just another expense to replace it.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Can you remove gimbal bearing from inside the hull?

I would think, since it would be a straight shot without the engine, it is doable. You would probably have to replace the grease shield too.

 

[Don S]

Re: Can you remove gimbal bearing from inside the hull?

I would think, since it would be a straight shot without the engine, it is doable. You would probably have to replace the grease shield too.

It is NOT POSSIBLE to drive it through. They are not built link OMC stringers.

Why can't it be done?

Because there are steps in the gimbal housing. The gimbal bearing is installed up against one of those steps, the seal is on an even smaller step.

 

[Hogger]

Re: Can you remove gimbal bearing from inside the hull?

Ya, after digging a little deeper, I can see where you would be hitting the grease shield. At first I thought that was the front lip of the bearing.
Now I see why Don said NO.

 

[Don S]

Re: Can you remove gimbal bearing from inside the hull?

Maybe this cross sectional view will help a little more.