Installing New Gimbal Bearing w/ Two Slots

[MercMonster]

My old gimbal bearing had no slots or cutouts in it. The new one does. I read on Mercstuff where it says they recommend inserting the new gimbal bearing with the cutouts facing aft. Does it really matter how it goes in? I don't mind using the slide-hammer myself to replace the gimbal bearing. Would it just make it better when you had to inspect the gimbal bearing so you wouldn't have to slide hammer it out? So my question is, install gimbal bearing w/ slots facing in or out?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Installing New Gimbal Bearing w/ Two Slots

The old style used a bearing with a shim kit ,use the new one with the slots facing aft. makes it easier to change it at a later date. You can also make the tool to grease the bearing .I believe your transom assem. does not have a grease fitting for the bearing.

 

[MercMonster]

Re: Installing New Gimbal Bearing w/ Two Slots

I believe this is the grease fitting for the bearing:

Thanks. I'll go ahead and face the bearing slots to aft then. Other than the bearing installation tool to actually install the bearing, is there a homemade version of the tool that anyone knows of? I may just go to the shop and have them install the bearing if I can't find anything.

 

[ParallaxBill]

Re: Installing New Gimbal Bearing w/ Two Slots

"I believe this is the grease fitting for the bearing:"

That's correct, just like the one on my 72 165.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Installing New Gimbal Bearing w/ Two Slots

best I recall ALL my Mercrusier manuals specifically state in bold letters that the slot faces fwd.
if facing aft the bearing can **** on the shaft when removing the drive for service creating the need to remove the engine to drive the shaft/bearing out from the inside, ask me how I know .
also the bearing manufacturer states that the inner bearing and the bearing holder are a matched set and not mix and matchable.
thats whats so nice about FACTORY shop service manuals.

 

[Don S]

Re: Installing New Gimbal Bearing w/ Two Slots

Here is a Mercruiser service bulletin that explains how it should be installed.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Bullet/85/85_26.pdf

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Installing New Gimbal Bearing w/ Two Slots

Well....I guess I screwed up. I installed a new gimbal bearing last summer and put it in with the two slots facing aft. Mine isn't greasable from the outside so I put it in this way so I could remove the bearing from the outer ring to grease it. I took it out and greased it in June of this year and put it back in with no problems. Everything seems to be fine. I've got the correct alignment tool and it really seemed to be a pretty simple process. The drive went back on easier than it ever has.
Am I looking at a problem down the road?