need advice on alpha gimble bearing change

[onebighead]

I have a 1997 mercruiser gen ll, which needs gimble bearing replacement. With drive off for impeller change, I reached in and moved the gimble bearing. I thought it was a little rough. So I decided to use a slide hammer and jerk on the inner race of bearing. Now it is for sure rough. I jerked quite a bit with slide hammer, but no budge. I read another post and there was a mention of snap ring. Is there one? Also the carrier slots are facing to the front so I can't remove bearing only. Need help and advice. thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: need advice on alpha gimble bearing change

Those snap rings were only on the old 1 drives, not the Alpha I Gen II drives.
Get a bigger slide hammer or the real gimbal bearing puller that basically uses some plates across the bellhousing with a threaded rod and the puller jaws from a slide hammer. The OEM service manual shows how to do that.
If you don't have the oem manual, download it here http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=251571

 

[onebighead]

Re: need advice on alpha gimble bearing change

Thanks Don S. I was hoping you might give help on this. I've read some of the other posts, but was still a little concerned about using a bigger hammer. Maybe tomorrow I will try it again. thanks again.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: need advice on alpha gimble bearing change

I've seen other posts on here where people have had a lot of difficulty getting the gimble bearing out. I did too and ended up having to drill holes all in mine and chissel it out bit by bit. Yours is a 1997, so it shouldn't be that extreme. Buy your new bearing so that you can see the exact size of your old bearing (sometimes grease and crud will gather up in there and you can't reall tell) so that way, you know exactly what you are working with.

Good luck...

 

[45Auto]

Re: need advice on alpha gimble bearing change

I have seen two gimbal bearings that the application of a BIG slide hammer over a couple of days of beating could not get out. But the threaded rod puller removed them both with no problem at all. Are you located close to anyone who could loan you a puller?

 

[onebighead]

Re: need advice on alpha gimble bearing change

Thanks everyone for the help. Today i had some success. I got a bigger slide hammer and got the thing out. In process probably cut the seal forward of bearing and will replace (if forum guys say it is necessary). I also intend to replace the whole thing, inner and carrier. thanks