how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989 3.0

[jimbobma22]

I think my gimbal bearing might be worn out......when I turn hard right or left I can hear it kinda make a sound like it is grinding a little......I checked and greased the u joints so I'm pretty sure that's not the problem......

 

[theblob]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989

Was your u-joints tight.to do gimble youll need certain tools.alighment tool,gimble puller.press in tool.you can buy gimble and tool kit on ebay for like 200 i think.inspect your bellows and trim limit switch wires while there,because if there getting close to going bad you can buy whole kit for everything and save money.my boat makes same noise mechanic said it was gimble,but after putting gimble and bellows shiftcable and trim limit switches still made noise.check each part of ujoint for slack.your suppose to use alighment tool everytime you pull drive,because motor can move when pulling drive out.get alighment tool see if it will spin with two fingers.if not out of line or bearing bad.

 

[achris]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989

Changing the gimbal bearing is incredibly easy. The only tools you need are a slide hammer (a BIG one!) with a three jaw puller, and a long rod to CAREFULLY drive the new bearing in.

Word of caution.. DON'T get sucked into the agreement of just turning the bearing and pulling it out of its carrier and replacing just the bearing. The whole thing (which includes the carrier) need to be replaced.

Once you have the drive off, put the puller on the slide hammer and put the jaws facing outwards in behind the bearing. Start sliding, and the bearing (with the carrier) comes out.

Set the new bearing and carrier so the slots in the carrier face forward (towards the front of the boat) and place it in the gimbal housing. Then gently tap around the edges (hitting the carrier NOT the bearing) until it bottoms out. You'll hear it, the sound is quite distinctively different...

Chris........

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989

Not a good idea there chris. The untrained hand can peen it some and it will never fully seat. you need something like this.some round stock slightly smaller than the tolerance ring, a inner guide to hold the bearing.just look at the collar after hammering it in , imagine the tolerance ring.

 

[achris]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989

The untrained hand can peen it some and it will never fully seat.

You're right of course... I've never had a problem with one, but as you said, untrained hands... :facepalm: shame on me...

 

[MarkSee]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989

...but as you said, untrained hands......

Me having that title would be a step UP......if the time comes for me to do the gimbal bearing in the Sea Ray, I'm planning on buying 2 right from the start cuz I know the first one will end up.....:facepalm:

Mark

 

[achris]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989

Me having that title would be a step UP......if the time comes for me to do the gimbal bearing in the Sea Ray, I'm planning on buying 2 right from the start cuz I know the first one will end up.....:facepalm:

Mark

Says the man who replaced his own front seal on the drive-shaft housing, AND set the rolling torque up....

Yeah right... Give yourself credit where credit due Mark..... Job well done.

 

[jimbobma22]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989

OK thanks for the advice....I'll probably wait till the season is over then see how much all the tools /parts cost then see how much my boat guy would charge

 

[Live-liner]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989



I use a seal installation tool like this from Harbor Freights. Its aluminum and wont beat up the ring. I use the flat side of the flange that fits best not the raised side. You just need to attach to a long enough makeshift rod to the flange so it reaches. These kits are dirt cheap. If you need to tap on the carrier with something else, use an aluminum rod / round stock careful not to hit the bearing. (works for me)

 

[thumpar]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989

I did the loan-a-tool program at Autozone to get the 2/3 jaw puller and pulled my old one out with a good whack of the slide hammer. The local shop said they would install a new bearing if it was apart and I bought the bearing from him. It only cost me $65.

 

[tjb1231]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989

I never touched a boat and did mine myself. Easy but time consuming. i made a PVC tool for $3.00 to pound the new one in. Even with the PVC you can hear the distinctive sound difference. I did bellows and trim switches while I was in there and saved $600 over what local marina's were charging including the cost of the specialty tools.

 

[jimbobma22]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989

Those are all good ideas .....I will definitely look into changing it myself .....doesn't sound too bad actually....the only thing that concerns me is the bellows now lol

 

[thumpar]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989

I did my bellows while I was doing the gimbal bearing. The bellows wasn't too bad. I did the 3 bellows and the water intake hose. Getting the shift cable back correctly was the only hard part.

 

[jimbobma22]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989

Yeah I've had the outer unit off before and that shift cable is a little tricky to get back in sometimes!!

 

[jimbobma22]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989

Oh wait u are probably talking about the seal for the shift cable .....what was the hard part about it?is the seal tricky to replace?

 

[jimbobma22]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989

Is there a kit for the bellows and seals ?

 

[achris]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989

Is there a kit for the bellows and seals ?

Yes...

Part # 30-803097T1 (transom seal kit)

You are going to need this too....

Drive manual

Download and save...

 

[thumpar]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989

Oh wait u are probably talking about the seal for the shift cable .....what was the hard part about it?is the seal tricky to replace?

The **** bellows is easy to install. You have to take the shift cable off of the linkage inside the boat to change it though. There is a lot of adjustments that have to be right for the shift interrupt and clutch dogs to work correctly. Take lots of pictures before taking it apart. It will help later.

I did buy a kit. It is called a transom seal kit on most sites.

 

[thumpar]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989

Found it. I think the first one is the one you need but double check. Mercruiser Transom Seal Kits - iboats

 

[jimbobma22]

Re: how difficult would it be to change out my gimbal bearing on an alpha one ? 1989

Oh wow !! Thanks for the manual Chris!! I've been wanting to find something like this......looks like I will have something to read for awhile!!