New Gimbal Bearing noisy?

[TurboJet]

Hi all,

Recently replaced my gimbal bearing in an '87 Merc 3.0 Alpha 1, and when I am fully locked left or right (idle or underway), I hear a tapping pattern?

I made sure I installed the bearing in the proper orientation for the grease zerk and greased it before re-installing the outdrive. (I made sure grease was coming through the notches // felt the grease with my fingers as the notches were faced forward)

I also made sure the alignment was proper and the tool went in through the bearing into the splined crank coupler nice and easy.

I then re-greased the bearing while the engine was running on the muffs (upon first crank up after the bearing install).

My old bearing did not make this noise and this job was just a maintenance item I had planned.

Also, a side question, I can't seem the get the outdrive bell housing gasket installed without the side of the gasket "protruding" out of the side of the drive/bellhousing when I tighten up the drive to the housing?

The gasket seems rather "skinny" in this area and seems tricky to get just right!

How is this avoided?

Any tips on that will help seal me up!

Thanks for any input!

 

[achris]

When you look into the bell housing, are you able to see the 2 notches on the sides of the carrier? If so, you installed the bearing backwards. Those notches MUST face the front of the boat. The bearing is not symmetrical. There is slightly more of the inner race on the notch side, so if you install it backwards, the inner race is going to be banging on the yoke face, when you turn full lock... Also, when you installed the bearing, did you use the right tool? If you just banged the bearing in with a big drift, you killed it.

As for the gasket squeezing out, what are you torquing the nuts up to?

Chris.........

 

[TurboJet]

Hello and thanks for the reply!

I installed the bearing with the notches facing forward (front of boat).

When I was saying I "felt" the grease coming out of the notches, this was because I could not see the notches being they are facing forward (front of boat).

I also installed the bearing with the proper tool, the alignment bar with the hole drilled (was a pure pita drilling that out with my press) and the bearing driver with its orientation correctly on the bar properly so to not press on the inner race of the bearing.

I also froze my Gimbal in the freezer and was surprised how easily the bearing went into place.

As for the torque on the nuts, I believe it states 50 ft/lbs in the manual, so that is what I went with.

Side note, I went with the later gen Gimbal bearing (the HD one, as I read it was recommended?), so I am not sure if this is an issue?

Thanks again

 

[achris]

Same bearing, from 1970 to now. Genuine or aftermarket?

Chris......

 

[TurboJet]

I used Sierra part number 18-21005K

The bearing that came out was marked NTN SBX0735

Thank you sir for the replies :wave:

 

[achris]

Yeah. After a couple of bad experiences, I stopped using Sierra parts. Now I only use genuine... The last gimbal bearing I put in, 6 days ago, was an SKF bearing (purchased from a Merc dealer)...

Chris......

 

[TurboJet]

Interesting..

Not really what I wanted to hear, but thanks for the input, much appreciated.

I suppose I'll head down to the local Merc shop and pick up a bearing

Thanks!