gimbal bearing question??

[sparky71]

Hello all,
Going to do a transom re-seal(replace all bellows)and while it's apart I figured we'd change the gimbal bearing,doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the one in there but I have no idea how long since it's been changed,sowe're gonna swap it out.My question isare these "special"bearings?My friend does alot of work thru a bearing supplier and says he can get it real cheap(#'s on old bearing clearly visible,say's "made in china")
I noticed that the bearings listed here and on mercstuff are under 50$.Can we just match the #'s up and get any bearing or will we be making a mistake by not getting one from a marine supplier?

 

[JustJason]

Re: gimbal bearing question??

well... not sure what you mean by "any bearing".
Its a very specific style/type/size. And there's only 1 that fits the gimbal housing.
Now there are different bearing manufactors, and they may have their own part number for that specific bearing. Order the new bearing based off your engine serial number, not what's stamped on your old bearing.
And do what you can to avoid CHEAP chinese bearings. They apparently can't make milk without killing/poisoning babys. Try to avoid sierra parts. They should have them here on iboats, or mercruiserparts.com will get you factory parts as well.

 

[blueoval1]

Re: gimbal bearing question??

IMO , I'd fork out the money for the Merc bearing or other comparable bearing from a marine supplier. While your in there , check engine/drive alignment too.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: gimbal bearing question??

Maybe it's just me if it's good why change it?

Send me the 50 bucks.

ebay has them all the time i think i just saw 2 there.

 

[sparky71]

Re: gimbal bearing question??

What I mean by any bearing is one sold at a bearing shop not one from I-boats or another marine supplier.My buddy seems to think that"a bearing is abearing,as long as the #'s match"
The rason for changind it is I think there was water in the drive bellows.I dont think it was in there long as nothing is rusty and gimbal seems fine but for the price and it is going to be taken apart to do the bellows figured might as well change it,then I will know it is new.
I'm going to get the bearing from here I think,Thanks for the info
Dan

 

[ziggy]

Re: gimbal bearing question??

i used me a mercstuff brg. when i serviced my drive last fall. before reassembly, i was showed this...
http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/Service/Cruiser/Bullet/85/85_26.pdf
went and got a mercruiser gimble brg. assy. and redid it......

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: gimbal bearing question??

thanks for the link ziggy that pretty much says it all

 

[JustJason]

Re: gimbal bearing question??

Take a drive over to granite state marine in Milford. It's not that far from you. See Rick. I'm sure he's got the right one sitting on the shelf.
The last thing you want is hammering the wrong bearing in place and trashing the housing. Is your buddy going to buy you a gimbal housing if you break it?

 

[sparky71]

Re: gimbal bearing question??

Actually my buddy and I went halfs on the boat so he has just as much at stake.
We definitely will be purchasing a mercruiser bearing though,thanks for the heads up!!

 

[sparky71]

Re: gimbal bearing question??

Forgot to ask my next question,

Which # do I use to get the new one?Someone said not to use the # on the bearing.Is it the #on the transom shield? Ican not read my drive ser. #

 

[JustJason]

Re: gimbal bearing question??

you should have a ## on the engine