Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

[stonyloam]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

This whole thread is getting confused, and I think you are too! You have a gimbal bearing which means that it is ball bearing assembly that is free to move inside of the outer bearing housing. This facilitates the alignment of the bearing with the opening in the coupler. What it does is support the driveshaft and maintains its alignment with the engine coupler. That is all it does, and you can move the bearing with the alignment tool so that it is pointed directly at the coupler opening.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

What it does is support the driveshaft and maintains its alignment with the engine coupler. That is all it does, and you can move the bearing with the alignment tool so that it is pointed directly at the coupler opening.

The gimbal bearing does not maintain alignment with the coupler. The reason it swivels is to correct for the angle of the transom. The alignment of the drive/bearing/coupler is accomplished by adjusting the engine.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

I'm a little confused on the inner hole of bearing lining up with the hole in the actual Gimbal....Please elaborate

I have no idea what he was saying either. You are almost there. You need to adjust the engine height to get the alignment right and have the bearing oriented so the grease hole is aligned with the grease tube. Its actually pretty simple.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

The gimbal bearing does not maintain alignment with the coupler. The reason it swivels is to correct for the angle of the transom. The alignment of the drive/bearing/coupler is accomplished by adjusting the engine.

Yeah, you are right of course. What I was trying to say is that the bearing is movable so the driveshaft CAN BE POINTED DIRECTLY AT THE CENTER OF THE COUPLER OPENING. The engine alignment makes sure that the driveshaft goes STRAIGHT THROUGH the bearing center all the way into the coupler. Just said it in a confusing way.

 

[Searay D]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

I have no idea what he was saying either. You are almost there. You need to adjust the engine height to get the alignment right and have the bearing oriented so the grease hole is aligned with the grease tube. Its actually pretty simple.

I'm on the alignment today....buying a new bearing...Thanks Bruce I'll let you know how it goes....PS I'm from the Peoples Republic as well...Launch out of Redondo Beach.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

I'm on the alignment today....buying a new bearing...Thanks Bruce I'll let you know how it goes....PS I'm from the Peoples Republic as well...Launch out of Redondo Beach.

I am an hour drive north of that

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Also i would really recommend for you to purchase this book called Seloc it could be found on the iBoats store. seloc - iboats

Wow...Can't believe there are still people on here that think Seloc and Clymer are ok manuals to use (other than for kneepads!):facepalm:

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

 

[Searay D]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Going to pickup new Gimbal now.....I don't quite understand the NOTE: portion...I have been told to drive the bearing until the sound changes then its fully seated. Can you elaborate on what it means to have at least 1/8 in of bearing bore exposed behind bearing retainer?

 

[thumpar]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Some of the old housings used a ring kind of like ujoints use. That is the only retainer I can think of.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Going to pickup new Gimbal now.....I don't quite understand the NOTE: portion...I have been told to drive the bearing until the sound changes then its fully seated. Can you elaborate on what it means to have at least 1/8 in of bearing bore exposed behind bearing retainer?

Drive it all the way in until it seats against the ledge.

 

[Searay D]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Drive it all the way in until it seats against the ledge.

Picked up the new Gimbal...had to call around a little to find it....Its a perma-lube bearing...so I don't have to worry about aligning it with the grease hole.....I did find it interesting that they include grease passage plug retrofit....so basically they want you to remove the grease zert and put a plug in its place....Not sure I want to do that..what if I don't have a perma-lube Gimabal the next time I change Gimbals.... is there a reason to put the plug in place of the grease zert?

 

[thumpar]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Wouldn't the plug be removable?

 

[Searay D]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Wouldn't the plug be removable?

Yes ...but knowing me I couldn't remember where I put the fitting.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Even if you loose it they are easy to buy and replace. For me I have a "boat stuff" shelf in the garage for all that.

 

[achris]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

..what if I don't have a perma-lube Gimabal the next time I change Gimbals.... is there a reason to put the plug in place of the grease zert?

Put the plug in place so water doesn't seep in. If you think you might put a greaseable bearing in at some stage in the future, keep the nipple somewhere safe... BTW, the only reason you'll be replacing that bearing in the future is if water gets into the bellows and floods the bearing...

Chris....

 

[Searay D]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

10-4 achris..............Wanted to update and share my experiences.....Removed the Gimbal..I don't have factory tool which I think is $150...so I went to Harbor Freight and bought US general slide hammer set item #05223... it worked perfect $45 after using my online code (works just like paper code you just have to google and keep the number handy..usually good for 30 days......The Gimbal had rotated during installation so it was never going to get grease and would have failed soon. ( for those of you doing this job in the future please take Bruce s advice and scratch marks where the opening to the grease fitting is...much easier if your mark get smudged off)
I went with an OEM Gimbal this time...so much easier to install then aftermarket...highly recommend...you can just feel the quailty differences.....so new Gimbal is in ..followed direction you guys provided(thanks again) It's a little tight on the bottom of the alignment tool so the engine must come up.
Just one question....I'm only able to get about an inch into the coupler when i'm checking alignment...how far should I be able to go?

 

[thumpar]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Just for others to know in the future. You can do the loan a tool at Autozone and get the 3 jaw puller to pull the bearing. You have to put up a deposit but get it all back when returned so really it is free. With just a couple wacks I had mine out.

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Follow the instructions carefully for adjusting the position of the new gimbal bearing when inserting your alignment tool before coming to a conclusion to adjust your engine mounts.

http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser...utdrives/engine-alignment-how-tos-443992.html

 

[Searay D]

Re: Gimbal bearing install gone bad?

Follow the instructions carefully for adjusting the position of the new gimbal bearing when inserting your alignment tool before coming to a conclusion to adjust your engine mounts.

I'm pretty sure I did....but can't hurt to go back and recheck..Do you how far I should be able to insert the tool?