Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

[Searay D]

Hi Everyone
I'm new to this forum. Look forward to being a valued member.

I have a 1988 Searay 230 Weekender. Iv'e pulled the outdrive and changed u joint shift and exhaust bellows. and the Gimbal...When I greased the bearing, grease went out the backside of the bearing..Iv'e now come to understand that I possibly got the alignment wrong and grease cant fill the bearing. When properly installed it should fill up the inside of the bearing right?....I also got in a rush and installed the drive with the old driveshaft o rings which looked good but have been told thats a no no. When I start her up. I hear a rapid thumping ...like a fuel pump makes...not super loud but there. Did I just fry my bearing?
Thank D

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Did you check the engine/drive alignment with an alignment tool when you reinstalled the drive?

 

[Searay D]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Did you check the engine/drive alignment with an alignment tool when you reinstalled the drive?

I did...It turned easily with two fingers.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

I did...It turned easily with two fingers.

That's not the test...can you insert/remove it with 2 fingers?

Did the bearing have a grease hole? Some are not greasable.

 

[Searay D]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

That's not the test...can you insert/remove it with 2 fingers?

Yes sir.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Are we talking Mercruiser? Just need to get this thread in the proper section....

 

[Searay D]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Are we talking Mercruiser? Just need to get this thread in the proper section....

It's an Alpha1 gen 1....Sorry if I posted in the wrong area.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

No Problem. It will be better served in the I/O section.
Welcome to the forum........

 

[thumpar]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

If it was a permalube bearing it would be sealed and no grease is needed. If not then the grease hole wasn't lined up.

 

[Searay D]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

It had a grease hole. ... when I put the gease in it filled up behind the bearing between the bearing and the seal. ... is the thumping sound a sign of a burnt bearing. ...?

 

[84EdH]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

do you mean the first time you started it up you heard thump thump, or after you ran it some hours? I ask because I don't think the bearing would thump thump unless it was really worn or locking up from no grease. Did you do the universal joint repair yourself?

 

[Searay D]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

I noticed it within the first few minutes of starting up....The u joints didn't have any noticeable play so I just greased them and did not change.
Had an idea...tomorrow I'll hook up garden hose to gimbal housing( the drive is off) and see if I still hear thumping....at least I can rule any thing besides the outdrive as the culprit.

 

[Searay D]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Still enough daylight to start her up....no thumping with outdrive off!!
could using the old o rings cause the thumping?

 

[achris]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Try with new 'O' rings... Also turn the drive input yoke and make sure it's not rough.. How are the unis? Does the noise change when you turn the drive port and starboard?

Chris....

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Gimbal...When I greased the bearing, grease went out the backside of the bearing..Iv'e now come to understand that I possibly got the alignment wrong and grease cant fill the bearing

Dosent make sense. alignment has nothing to do with greasing the bearing IF it is a greasable one. what was the part number?
grease leaving the rear of the bearing could mean its not fully seated in the housing. what tool did you use to install the bearing?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Dosent make sense. alignment has nothing to do with greasing the bearing IF it is a greasable one. what was the part number?

He means the he didn't have the hole on the gimbal bearing aligned with the grease fill tube.

I always mark the bearing with a Sharpie where the hole is on the bearing so I know I have it in there in the correct orientation.

 

[Searay D]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

That's what I meant by alignment to the fill tube....I marked it with a sharpe but because it was in the freezer it smudged off during install. ...the Gimbal was the kind you can grease. ...I installed it with a tool I bought online it works in conjunction with the alignment tool seemed to work well...maybe I didn't get it all the way in? I'll give it a few more taps tomorrow....I guess the plan should be to replace the u Joints o rings.
..and try her out?

 

[bspeth]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Ive yet to do one myself but I have read on this forum that the sound of tapping changes noticeably when properly seated.

 

[achris]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

That's what I meant by alignment to the fill tube....I marked it with a sharpe but because it was in the freezer it smudged off during install. ...the Gimbal was the kind you can grease. ...I installed it with a tool I bought online it works in conjunction with the alignment tool seemed to work well...maybe I didn't get it all the way in? I'll give it a few more taps tomorrow....I guess the plan should be to replace the u Joints o rings.
..and try her out?

Freezer? Why are you putting it in the freezer?

 

[thumpar]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Freezer? Why are you putting it in the freezer?

I heard putting it in the freezer helps drive it in. The shop I used to drive mine in only charged $65 for it since it was off. That was with bearing and labor. I drove the boat over there and in a couple minutes the bearing was in. The tool is more than that.