Is Gimbal Bearing Ruined?

[Shelby Ladner]

I have a 1994 Merc Gen II and last time out on lake my Gimbal bearing started to make noise when fully turning OD left and right. I noticed water seeping from lower shift cable while running on trailer so I pulled OD and water was very present, even in the ujoint bellow. The large rubber gasket was destroyed and the water passage o-ring looked deformed. The bearing does not have movement-just dry feeling while rotating so I'm guessing re-grease and replace gaskets. I re-checked alignment and it is okay. I remember the last time I installed OD it was difficult to fully seat-maybe I caused this....

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Is Gimbal Bearing Ruined?

water from the shift cable area might be a damaged shift boot. dislodging the water passage o ring and rubber gasket(supposed to be glued in place first). All dependes on how you installed it.
check engine alignmrent,support drive even with housing, control box in fwd, outdrive in fwd, insert input shaft carefully, slightly turn prop CW to line up driveshaft splines, slide drive on and tighten .
You should be able to simply push the drive on to within an 1/8 inch easily or something is wrong.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Is Gimbal Bearing Ruined?

Sounds like you would want to replace the bellows, u-joints and gimbal bearing, just to get everything back on track.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Is Gimbal Bearing Ruined?

I would replace the gimbal bearing while you are in there. It is not expensive.

 

[Shelby Ladner]

Re: Is Gimbal Bearing Ruined?

Damaged shift cable bellow would allow water to enter boat. I replaced all three bellows 2 years ago but I did not replace the upper shift shaft seals. I can see where these seals could allow water to enter shift cavity while the boat was in the water but I noticed the water seeping from the shift cable on top of the valve cover while boat was running on muffs on trailer. I will inspect all bellows and replace gimbal bearing and re-install with new gaskets. Should I replace shaft seals/bushings?