Gimbal Bearing Grease Fitting?

[steddy]

Hi. I've owned 2 boats now, both with the Alpha 1 outdrive. A 1988 Chaparral with a 3.0, and a 1991 Thompson with a 4.3. The Chaparral has a grease fitting for the gimbal bearing, the Thompson does not. Were there some of the Alpha Ones built without the grease fitting? It doesn't look like anything was ever done to "rework" the area where it should be, but there is an ever so slight dimple about where it goes. It looks like the dimple was there from the factory.

 

[jtybt]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Grease Fitting?

Look to see if there's a 'tube' cast into the gimbal housing.

 

[steddy]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Grease Fitting?

I think I might have figured this one out with the help of the service manual. I mis-spoke (typed) - the fitting that is not present is on the steering shaft at the very top of the out drive. Evidently, the gimbal bearing grease fitting is kind of hidden away next to the housing. Found it.

We're good now.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Grease Fitting?

and whats funny the new gimbal bearings from merc have NO grease fitting hole and come with instructions and a plug to remove and plug off the original grease fitting.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Grease Fitting?

Ayuh,.. Alpha 1s have been loosing grease fittings for Years...
I think the Most Greaseable were the 84 to about 87 drives...
The lower swivel pin was the 1st to loose it's fitting....

 

[steddy]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Grease Fitting?

Sounds like they're trying to limit the service life of these things. Can you say "planned obsolescense?"

Maybe I'll shift my favoritism toward Volvo Penta next go-around. Their new IPS is pretty sweet.

 

[chris0061]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Grease Fitting?

The new gimbal bearing is supposed to stand up better than the grease fitting one. When I went this summer to buy mine I freaked out a little when they told me to remove the Zerk and install the plug then explained to me about the reasons. They had tried the perma lube on something else I cant remember now but had such good succes with it they did it to the gimbal bearing.