Mercruiser 6.2l 300 (2018 model) Gimbal bearing grease how to?

[ck82]

Hey Guys/Gals,

Looking for some insight on maintenance for my Mercruiser 6.2l. I am not finding a grease zerk in regards to greasing of the gimble bearing? I've watched some YouTube videos showing how to grease a gimble bearing, however it seems impossible to access the same in order to find the zerk. Beyond this, I believe lubrication of the steering linkages, and greasing of the spline shaft is about it?

Thanks!

 

[tank1949]

Hey Guys/Gals,

Looking for some insight on maintenance for my Mercruiser 6.2l. I am not finding a grease zerk in regards to greasing of the gimble bearing? I've watched some YouTube videos showing how to grease a gimble bearing, however it seems impossible to access the same in order to find the zerk. Beyond this, I believe lubrication of the steering linkages, and greasing of the spline shaft is about it?

Thanks!

Some are sealed. If rough, just replace? I haven't a clue how to grease w/o fitting!

 

[ck82]

The manual states to grease every 50 hours I believe. I'm just not finding a zerk, however it is extremely difficult to get down in that area. Hoping someone has some insight, as I'm at 75hrs. or greater.

 

[alldodge]

The manual states to grease every 50 hours I believe. I'm just not finding a zerk, however it is extremely difficult to get down in that area. Hoping someone has some insight, as I'm at 75hrs. or greater.

Being a 6.2 it was probabley during the change over to permalube bearings. As Tank said, pull the drive every season and check for roughness. Then do the rest of your maintenance

 

[tank1949]

The manual states to grease every 50 hours I believe. I'm just not finding a zerk, however it is extremely difficult to get down in that area. Hoping someone has some insight, as I'm at 75hrs. or greater.

Do you mean that the gimbal housing doesn't have a grease fitting on its stb side, or the bearing doesn't have one? I have NEVER seen a grease fitting on the bearing, but some are sealed and do not require grease. Just replace. However, if your gimbal housing doesn't have a grease fitting, maybe it was never installed on its stb side. That doesn't make sense, but it is a Mercruiser. Look closer!!!!!!! You may have to drill and tap and add one. Make sure inside the gimbal housing has a grease channel cast into the aluminum all the way to the bearing. However, since it is a 2018, MC may have done away with grease fittings altogether. Good luck!

 

[QBhoy]

Newer things around that age don’t have an option to grease routinely. Silly bloody carry on. Even the ones that did originally, now it’s a case of a sealed bearing only replacement, as far as I can see. I’m still on the original greasable bearing from 2003 when new. 700 hours. Greased a couple of times a year. I know guys that have been through 3 sealed bearings in the same duration. Crazy idea.

 

[achris]

Hey Guys/Gals,

Looking for some insight on maintenance for my Mercruiser 6.2l. I am not finding a grease zerk in regards to greasing of the gimble bearing? I've watched some YouTube videos showing how to grease a gimble bearing, however it seems impossible to access the same in order to find the zerk. Beyond this, I believe lubrication of the steering linkages, and greasing of the spline shaft is about it?

Thanks!

Got some serial numbers?

 

[tank1949]

Newer things around that age don’t have an option to grease routinely. Silly bloody carry on. Even the ones that did originally, now it’s a case of a sealed bearing only replacement, as far as I can see. I’m still on the original greasable bearing from 2003 when new. 700 hours. Greased a couple of times a year. I know guys that have been through 3 sealed bearings in the same duration. Crazy idea.

I'm not fond of the sealed ones either, but as a Alabama deer hunter with a 4x4, I can attest that the sealed u-joints last longer than the greased ones. My truck was constantly in the clay mud.

 

[achris]

...Silly bloody carry on.

Not really.

Even the ones that did originally, now it’s a case of a sealed bearing only replacement, as far as I can see.

Quite correct. And I'm glad to see it.

I’m still on the original greasable bearing from 2003 when new. 700 hours. Greased a couple of times a year.

And I'm still on the original SEALED bearing (750 hours), never greased.

I know guys who have been through 3 sealed bearings in the same duration. Crazy idea.

Then ask them WHY the bearing failed. (And I wouldn't mind betting that it was something else, like water in the bellows or incorrect installation (hammering it in on the inner race), that caused the failure, not a 'spontaneous bearing failure'. If they say it 'just failed', I call BS.)

Chris......

 

[alldodge]

My 1994 Rinker has the original and like this type on the boat
Replaced the ones on my 4x4 with greasable type, and wish I would have replaced with sealed. The original sealed ones lasted 125K miles, and thats good enough

 

[poconojoe]

In your statement, it sounds like you are looking in the wrong place. You state "it seems impossible to access". That grease fitting, if your's has one, would be located outside the boat and is in plain sight. Is that where you are looking? It sounds like you are looking inside the engine bay.

As stated, your's may have a permalube bearing and not have a zerk.
When I replaced my gimbal bearing, the kit came with the permalube bearing and a plug to replace the zerk.

 

[Lou C]

We have 2 older Jeeps:
1998 with sealed front wheel bearings and non grease able driveshaft and axle ujoints. 180,000 miles lots of beach driving not one has needed replacement
2007 with sealed front wheel bearings and non greasable joints on the rear drive shaft. 116,00 miles also a lot of beach driving. CVs on the front drive shaft and half shafts; only the rear CV on the front shaft needed replacement. So sure they can last!
My old boat still has the grease able gimble & ujoints. U joints are original and gimble was replaced about 15 years ago. Just pull the drive REGULARLY to inspect the bellows replace before failure and install new parts properly & you should have no problems!

 

[todhunter]

Just pull the drive REGULARLY to inspect the bellows replace before failure and install new parts properly & you should have no problems!

New gasket and o-ring every time you pull the drive, correct?

 

[Lou C]

Yep. I’m in100% salt water my boats moored in it nearly 20 years this is how you make them last. I’d get a drive jack & an alignment tool as well

 

[ck82]

Hey Guys! Thanks for the feedback.

Motor Serial # is: 2A578724
Bravo III

I spoke to Mercury Marine and ordered a service manual, it didn't give me a darn bit of insight on how to grease gimbal bearing and spline. I believe the gimbal is sealed, the spline I believe it stated to grease every 1 year, or 300 hours whichever occurs first.

This leads me to an issue that just arose since this weekend.

At low speed, and early acceleration prior to getting on plane there is noticeable abnormal vibration coming from the lower unit, so much so that it is easily seen and felt within the steering wheel & display.

I'd imagine I will be pulling the lower drive, however I am not experienced in this. As Lou C stated I will be looking to purchase a drive jack and alignment tool, anything else needed, in order to hopefully avoid sending it to the dealer for the remainder of the summer?

My neighbor is quite experienced in all of this, so I will more than likely ask him for assistance.

Again I don't believe the service manual that I just purchased discusses anything with the lower drive.

 

[Scott06]

Hey Guys/Gals,

Looking for some insight on maintenance for my Mercruiser 6.2l. I am not finding a grease zerk in regards to greasing of the gimble bearing? I've watched some YouTube videos showing how to grease a gimble bearing, however it seems impossible to access the same in order to find the zerk. Beyond this, I believe lubrication of the steering linkages, and greasing of the spline shaft is about it?

Thanks!

they went to permalube gimbal bearings in like 2008 so no grease fitting is there anymore

All OEM replacement gimbal bearings are now lubed for life as they say...

Coupler should have a zerk or two on it to grease the splines. Get a factory manual for the drive and engine will have all the lube points and appropriate lubes called out

 

[Lou C]

The newer Mercs have permanently lubed gimble bearings & ujoints so you can’t grease em. The main thing is regular drive pulls to check for water in the bellows. Keep water out & they will last
If you can’t get at the zerk fitting due to engine installation the only way to ensure proper driveshaft lubrication is to do it when you R&R the drive.

 

[achris]

For that engine/drive you are going to need several manuals.
Engine
Drive
MPI supplement
Dry-joint exhaust supplement

For Bravo drives, there are 2 grease nippled on the engine coupler. You need to get your head right in there to see them. Or do as most other people do, grease the yoke before sliding the drive back on at each annual service...

Chris...

 

[ck82]

Thanks guys for the info!

Great to know Mercury tech support said nothing about any service manual beyond the one I have attached a photo of. $110.00 and 10 sections.

Any ideas to what's occurring with the pronounced vibration in the lower unit when throttling up?

 

[alldodge]

Vibration throttling up is either the prop or the drive in most cases. If prop is in good condition, look at the gimbal bearing and the U joints