Gimbal Bearing Installation Question

[FW0804]

I have a few questions below.. If anyone could offer some advice for a rookie it would be appreciated!

I took out my old gimbal bearing to replace it(it was extremely rusty, bearing wouldn't even turn). I thought a cracked u-joint bellow was letting water in so I wasn't surprised when I saw the rusted bearing, but after inspecting the bellow I found no cracks - what would cause this?

There was also a lot of grease in the bellow but the u-joints seem to move smoothly, grease probably from the bad bearing?

I made the mistake of pounding the bearing in by the center. I found out WHY that's a bad idea, because the bearing and the surrounding ring were now unaligned. I popped it out and straightened it up and got everything very close to it's original position, is this going to cause problems?

I'm going to buy an alignment tool but I was wondering if someone could explain how it works? Is the process just inserting the alignment bar and just tapping the bearing until you get the proper fit? What if the ring and bearing are sitting flush and the bar won't go in? I did look through the manuals and couldn't find this information.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Installation Question

I have a few questions below.. If anyone could offer some advice for a rookie it would be appreciated!

I took out my old gimbal bearing to replace it(it was extremely rusty, bearing wouldn't even turn). I thought a cracked u-joint bellow was letting water in so I wasn't surprised when I saw the rusted bearing, but after inspecting the bellow I found no cracks - what would cause

There was also a lot of grease in the bellow but the u-joints seem to move smoothly, grease probably from the bad bearing?


I made the mistake of pounding the bearing in by the center. I found out WHY that's a bad idea, because the bearing and the surrounding ring were now unaligned. I popped it out and straightened it up and got everything very close to it's original position, is this going to cause problems?



I'm going to buy an alignment tool but I was wondering if someone could explain how it works? Is the process just inserting the alignment bar and just tapping the bearing until you get the proper fit? What if the ring and bearing are sitting flush and the bar won't go in? I did look through the manuals and couldn't find this information.

A high bilge water level can allow water to enter

Most likely over greased

Yes, replace the bearing and use a suitable driving tool

pics and information are in the Merc manuals located in the Adults Only section

 

[xltier]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Installation Question

I have a few questions below.. If anyone could offer some advice for a rookie it would be appreciated!

I took out my old gimbal bearing to replace it(it was extremely rusty, bearing wouldn't even turn). I thought a cracked u-joint bellow was letting water in so I wasn't surprised when I saw the rusted bearing, but after inspecting the bellow I found no cracks - what would cause this?

There was also a lot of grease in the bellow but the u-joints seem to move smoothly, grease probably from the bad bearing?

I made the mistake of pounding the bearing in by the center. I found out WHY that's a bad idea, because the bearing and the surrounding ring were now unaligned. I popped it out and straightened it up and got everything very close to it's original position, is this going to cause problems?also dont leave your boat out in the rain with the plug in.you can get water in the bellows that way.ruins bearings and u joints

I'm going to buy an alignment tool but I was wondering if someone could explain how it works? Is the process just inserting the alignment bar and just tapping the bearing until you get the proper fit? What if the ring and bearing are sitting flush and the bar won't go in? I did look through the manuals and couldn't find this information.

you have to align the bearing to the coupler on the back of the motor with the tool.this will also tell u if the motor is out of align too,you really need to read the manual on this or the drive wont go on or yu will ruin the expensive coupler.that bearing doesnt come ready to go either.it MUST be aligned after install.

 

[83vert]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Installation Question

Befor you install the new bearing I would put it in the freezer over night and then install it with the proper techniuqe. Do a search and you should be able to find plenty of info.

 

[FW0804]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Installation Question

Bt Doctur,

Makes sense now. I had to replace the shift cable bellow last year because it was letting a lot of water in.

I did look for information on the engine alignment and gimbal bearing in manuals #6 and #8. I have an '87 merc alpha one, am I looking in the wrong place?

 

[83vert]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Installation Question

There is a search function at the top of the page. Just type in gimbal bearing install and plenty of info should come up, thats how I figured out how to do mine. good luck

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Installation Question

I'll second replacing the gimble bearing...

When I did the gimble bearing last time I removed the bearing from the carrier shaved down a 2x4 to match the carrier's shape, tapped the carrier home (carrier slots facing outward, aft) and then reinstalled the bearing in to the carrier. Worked well since I didn't have the proper driver. Be sure to have the grease hole in the carrier and bearing aligned when they go back together, mark them with a Sharpie marker, same thing for the carrier to gimble housing.

About the bearing being misaligned in the carrier, use the alignment tool to move the bearing around inside the carrier. The alignment tool is not only to align the bearing in the carrier, but also to align the engine's coupler to the bearing. You will need to check the engine's alignment while you are working on the gimble bearing.

Download/read a manual as BT suggested, it's free

 

[FW0804]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Installation Question

Sounds like I have some reading to do. ;] I'll do some searching as suggested and see what I come up with. Thanks for the responses.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Installation Question

Befor you install the new bearing I would put it in the freezer over night and then install it with the proper techniuqe. Do a search and you should be able to find plenty of info.

Yep, great idea. That's what I did with mine this spring. The bearing will shrink just enough that a few taps will send it home.

 

[cedarjunki]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Installation Question

Yep, great idea. That's what I did with mine this spring. The bearing will shrink just enough that a few taps will send it home.

theres a few videos on youtube showing how to use the alighnment tool also.

 

[FW0804]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Installation Question

cedarjunki, cool - didn't think of that I'll have to check it out.

Is it required to also change the grease fitting when I'm replacing the gimbal bearing?

 

[45Auto]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Installation Question

I found out WHY that's a bad idea, because the bearing and the surrounding ring were now unaligned. I popped it out and straightened it up and got everything very close to it's original position, is this going to cause problems?

It's most likely going to cause you huge problems very shortly. It's a bad idea because you most likely just destroyed the bearing. NEVER install a gimbal bearing (or any other ball or roller bearing) into a housing by hitting it on the inner race. You're denting the balls and races, you'll be replacing it again shortly. You need to drive it in with something that ONLY touches the OUTER race, like a bearing driver or a piece of pipe.

 

[FW0804]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Installation Question

I wasn't using a sledge hammer and I hit it about 10 times, it was probably moved by about 1mm if that. I respect your advice, but what is the risk if I use it anyways? Will I be able to tell if it's going bad?

 

[cedarjunki]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Installation Question

I wasn't using a sledge hammer and I hit it about 10 times, it was probably moved by about 1mm if that. I respect your advice, but what is the risk if I use it anyways? Will I be able to tell if it's going bad?

it may last 10 years or 10 days.........you never know.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Installation Question

I wasn't using a sledge hammer and I hit it about 10 times, it was probably moved by about 1mm if that. I respect your advice, but what is the risk if I use it anyways? Will I be able to tell if it's going bad?

I wouldn't use it.

 

[FW0804]

Re: Gimbal Bearing Installation Question

I got a new bearing, it's in. The alignment tool I've seen a lot on this site is the one shown here http://www.mercstuff.com/images/modification.jpg It says alpha one gen II but will it work in a regular alpha one? I'm wondering because I know someone who can make one.