Gimbal Hinge Pin

[magregor22]

I'm looking for ideas on how to get the gimbal hinge pin out of my merc outdrive. It is one of the twevle point ones and it's being stubborn. Mercstuff.com said to use a half inch allan key but that just stripped with the impact gun. is this a "torx" bit or a special merc socket? I have torx bits up to T-60 but thats it. Even the auto parts stores don't have anything this big.

 

[psagan]

Re: Gimbal Hinge Pin

Merc makes a special tool, twelve point Torx on one side to fit the pin - 1/2 inch 6 point nut to fit a socket on the other, made out of very tough stuff. About 25 bucks or so. It's invaluable for doing this job. Put this tool in a socket on a 20 inch breaker bar and add propane heat to the back of the gimbal hinge for a minute or so to loosen the factory-applied Loctite and any corrosion. Pull with all your might. My pins weren't corroded at all and I still thought my eyes would burst out of their sockets. This tool fits the pin tightly so that all your torque gets to where its needed. Maybe a big Allen head cut down to fit into a socket would work also, but one slip and the gimbal pin would be stripped. Then you're truly screwed. When you put the pins back on, don't forget the high strength Loctite (#271?). Torque to 95 ft.lbs.<br /><br />Best of luck!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Gimbal Hinge Pin

I use a good quality home made tool. its a 2" section of 1/2" hex from a large drift punch. dont impact it. air impacts have no practical applications on marine stuff. I have broken a lot of the merc special tools. sometimes propane just aint hot enough and I always use oxy/acetylene

 

[magregor22]

Re: Gimbal Hinge Pin

rodbolt, i used a two inch section of a good drift punch. A "Proto" punch. it took me forever to cut it with my power hacksaw. my mistake was using the impact, I guess. My 1/2 impact would not do it so I switched to my 3/4 impact and that stripped the punch. I guess I will will try the right 12 point tool and use the oxy/acetylene. i wish I posted this before i tried it,might have saved me some grief.<br />Thanks for the idea H/J

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Gimbal Hinge Pin

the problem with air or electric impact tools is the galling issue. sometimes between the impact,speed of rotation and a bit of corrosion the aluminium tends to gall or weld itself to the stainless threads. I rarely use impacts or air drivers in this industry. worked ok for auto use. tends to bust up stuff in marine use. I now just use a 1/2" braeker bar and grunt method. so far no problems. I cut mine with a 4" side grinder .

 

[magregor22]

Re: Gimbal Hinge Pin

Thanks Rodbolt,Thats great info