gimbal bellhousing torque maintenance

[timg19]

I just pulled my boat out of storage and I'm performing some regular maintenance on it. I read in the owners manual that the gimbal bell-housing bolt torque should be checked every year (should be 50 - 55lbs). When I checked, one was at 30lbs and the other was 25lbs (my wrench is good, I checked the torque on other bolts).

I've also read that you shouldn't re-torque these bolts after the gimbal bearing is in because it can cause the bearing to snap. Should I leave these boats the way they are, or tighten them up to 50lbs?

History of the boat:
- I remember the boat shop saying they re-torqued these nuts two years ago when I had it in for new bellows. They have not been touched since then. Gimbal bearing currently is tight and looks / sounds good. This is a Alpha 1 Gen 2 outdrive.

 

[Bondo]

I've also read that you shouldn't re-torque these bolts after the gimbal bearing is in because it can cause the bearing to snap. Should I leave these boats the way they are, or tighten them up to 50lbs?

Ayuh,.... The gimbel Bearin' is miles from the 2 nuts at the top of the ring,.... Not even the same housing,....

The nuts torque the gimbel Ring,... Ya, snug 'em up to spec,....

 

[achris]

Just to clarify, the bolts you're referring to are the clamp bolts at the top of the GIMBAL RING, not the bell-housing. There are 2 bolts with nyloc nuts on the back. They clamp the upper swivel shaft in the top of the gimbal ring.

Yes?

If they were torqued to 55lb-ft 2 years ago and are now at 30 and 25, I would be looking for why. They don't loosen themselves off. I'd pull the bolts and check for stretching, and for any signs of 'wear' or fretting of the gimbal ring where the bolts go through. Also check for corrosion of the swivel shaft.

Chris....

 

[timg19]

Thanks. to clarify, I added an image I found online that identify the bolts I'm referring to. Is that what you both are talking about?

 

[timg19]

Achris,

Is this something you would suggest I take to the shop? I'm capable of doing some serving on the boat, but I'm not sure I am confident enough to find a cause for the loose nuts.

 

[achris]

Yep, they're the bolts. Take to the shop? I wouldn't bother. Just pull the bolts and nuts out and have a good look at them. S/S does stretch if continuously re-torqued. If it we're me, I'd just throw new bolts and nuts in...

I would only use genuine, and the numbers you'd be looking at are 10-90126 (about $4 each) and 11-862903 (about $2 each)... Don't lose the washers (one under the bolt head, one under the nut)

Chris.......

 

[timg19]

OK, thanks Achris. You don't think I need to figure out the cause of it? Just replace the bolts?

 

[achris]

I'd be looking for the cause...