Gimbal Ring Replacement? - Mercruiser 7.4 Bravo One

[gibbywmu2000]

Hi Everyone,

After hours of researching online, it looks like my Gimbal Ring (not sure about bearings, I'm not getting any noise) needs replacing. I have quite a bit of slop in my drive when I move it from side to side. From a video I watched from JR Marine, mine definitely needs some work. I'd love to do this myself, but this looks like quite a task. Sounds like that outdrive is pretty heavy, and I don't have a special jack or anything to be able to get it off (nor do I have the time). I'm assuming its those bushings that need replacing that cause the side to side slop?

Here's my question. Assuming I take it to my "honest" local marina, what is an average cost for a job like this? Lets say if they inspect the bearing and that seems ok? I heard the steering nut could be lose also which would create the same symptoms? If its a huge $$$ job, I'd like to put this off until next year if at all possible, but I still want to be able to drive the boat as well............just not sure if that is possible and I'd cause more damage with the slop it has?

Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[tpenfield]

The gimbal ring is around $900 for the part . . . how much money is huge money?

 

[gibbywmu2000]

Huge money is around $2K. Thing is, I'm not sure if those bushings can just be replaced and then I'll be good to go or what? Will that fix the slop? I did read on another forum, to first try retorquing those 2 nuts on the top to 55 lbs. If that does not work, then the gimbal ring definitely needs to be replaced or reworked. Does anyone have any experience doing this? I didn't exactly measure the side to side slop, but I'm sure it needs to be fixed soon.

Do most people have them replace the gimbal ring, bellows, etc since they are already in there working on it and have it torn apart?

 

[tpenfield]

So, with labor and other related parts, you will probably approaching $2K. How much play is there? If you do a search on this forum for "bravo gimbal ring" and select the titles only option, you will get quite a few folks who have death with this repair and their related threads.

I have a little bit of play in my outdrives, but not $2K worth . . . Probably will take a closer look at it some day . . .

 

[alldodge]

Would be nice if you could get to the top nut on the pivot pin, but this normally is done by removing the engine. If this nut loosens it will give quite a bit of play. The gimbal ring can be repaired along with the pin, but does require a machine shop. Having the work done by a shop your in the 2K range already. Doing it your self will save a bunch

 

[gibbywmu2000]

Ok, around $2K is definitely quite a bit. I'd love to do it myself, problem is, my boat is at my cottage which is 2 hrs away. Its more of the "time" cost. It would probably take me 2 full weekends to do it myself. Also, I don't have a garage there, so if it starts raining, I have to stop all work. Ugh.....here is what I am going to do for now:

1) Measure the slop at post back how much there is

2) Tighten those 2 nuts back to 55lbs, and see if that fixes it. I heard its a long shot, but I'll give it a try and see what happens. I"m told you have to back those nuts off first, then retighten them. Ugh.........I hate outdrives. lol

 

[HT32BSX115]

2) Tighten those 2 nuts back to 55lbs, and see if that fixes it. I heard its a long shot, but I'll give it a try and see what happens. I"m told you have to back those nuts off first, then retighten them. Ugh.........I hate outdrives. lol

You can also get it "fixed'. That might be a slightly less expensive alternative to replacement. http://www.jrmarine.com/products/gimbal_repair.htm

But if it's NOT repairable, there's also an alternative to the aluminium ring. http://www.hillmarine.net/Mercruiser-Bravo-Alpha-Stainless-steel-Gimbal-Ring-p/ssgr.htm

Cheers,

Rick

 

[tpenfield]

I have seen that stainless gimbal ring from Hill Marine . . . but would you want to put that much more stainless steel in the water along side the aluminum outdrive :noidea:

 

[HT32BSX115]

I have seen that stainless gimbal ring from Hill Marine . . . but would you want to put that much more stainless steel in the water along side the aluminum outdrive :noidea:

Point well taken. It would depend on whether you were going to leave it in the water all the time. If you were, you might need another Mercathode.

 

[gibbywmu2000]

Great feedback guys, really appreciate it. Problem is, if I take it to the local marina, they'll pretty much just scrap the current gimbal ring I would assume. I wouldn't think they would repair those right? Frustrating, because I would just rather have it repaired if it can be.............I just wouldn't know unless I took it apart myself, and at this point, its not really an option for me. I just don't have the time.........what can you do..........ugh. I do like that stainless steel ring. I think that would be much more durable. I don't leave my boat in the water all season so I would probably be ok. I just have it in on the weekends I'm up to my cottage.

I might just wait until next year and try to deal with it. I think it will be ok the rest of this season.

 

[Thomv]

I had my gimbal housing replaced last year. It required them to remove my motor from the boat. This turned into a $4500 repair!

 

[Speakrdude]

Call Ron At JRMarine. He will walk you through the repair. You can do it yourself and save a ton of $$. If your ring is rebuild able, he will swap you with one they have already rebuilt, for $265.00. (plus whatever extra pieces you need. Stainless pin, etc.)

 

[gibbywmu2000]

Ouch ThomV! That is one expensive repair. I am sure you were not happy about that! I did talk to Ron @ JRMarine. Really good guy and willing to help. I've decided that I'm going to replace the Gimbal Ring in the off season. I will remove, and then send to Ron to determine if it does in fact need replacing. I think I can get someone to help me, then I can do it in a few weekends.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Ouch ThomV! That is one expensive repair. I am sure you were not happy about that! I did talk to Ron @ JRMarine. Really good guy and willing to help. I've decided that I'm going to replace the Gimbal Ring in the off season. I will remove, and then send to Ron to determine if it does in fact need replacing. I think I can get someone to help me, then I can do it in a few weekends.

Once you get the ring and pin removed, it'll be fairly obvious if it needs replacing/repair.

 

[Mischief Managed]

I did mine in one day with JR marine kit and the Mercruiser plug kit. I Took many pics and made an album for the work here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1500205917053.2071101.1591328395&type=1&l=a95d978078

 

[gibbywmu2000]

Mischief,

Wow, that is really great! Amazing job you did. Thanks for posting all of those pictures. Just a few questions:

Did you have all of your own tools? (Besides standard sockets, screwdrivers, allen heads, etc), or did you rent tools from JR Marine as Ron suggests? It looks like you have may have you used a slide hammer. If so, did you replace your gimbal bearing since you already had it torn apart? Also, what is that wooden dowel tool you have there? Looks like you used it to remove that ring?

Scott

 

[Mischief Managed]

I had all my own tools. I only used the slide hammer to remove the U-joint bellows retaining ring. I use the wooden tool to install the retaining ring but have since stopped doing that and now just use brake cleaner as a lubricant and seat it by hand. I did not replace my gimbal bearing when I did that work. The gimbal bearing can be replaced easily at any time and does not require major work like the gimbal ring. You just pull the drive to R&R the gimbal bearing.