Quality gimbal bearing tools

[Bb440zp]

Hello. Ive been searching for quality alignment and install tools for mc1 gimbal bearing. 1978 rinker 19' 470 mercruiser.

 

[alldodge]

Find the alignment bar on ebay, just make sure to see that the seller has plenty of good reviews

 

[nola mike]

Hello. Ive been searching for quality alignment and install tools for mc1 gimbal bearing. 1978 rinker 19' 470 mercruiser.

Some of the ebay kits have an alignment tool + gimbal installer.

 

[Bb440zp]

Find the alignment bar on ebay, just make sure to see that the seller has plenty of good reviews

I see reviews that claim some are incorrect dimensions. Is there a brand name that is best? I dont mind paying a little more for quality. I see some 2 piece tools that dont need to be drilled for installing gimbal bearings. Thx for the help.

 

[Bb440zp]

Some of the ebay kits have an alignment tool + gimbal installer.

Do you know anything about the 2 piece tools that dont require drilling for installing the gimbal bearing? Thx for the help.

 

[alldodge]

Can get the Merc alignment tool 91-80547A1 which is also used for TR and TRS drives, but there not used much anymore
https://www.mercruiserparts.com/805475a1-alignment-tool-kt-1

The Merc gimbal install tool is several items
The key one to have is the mandrel 30366 of something similar which will drive the bearing in with contact only to the outer carrier. It is removed with a slide hammer or other puller



If the ebay person had only a couple comments of a bad tool, this could be the person using it didn't know really how to align the motor. If they only had a 100 sales then pass, but if they ad 10,000 its probably ok

You need a manual for the drive to get the info. Now they make only permalube gimbal bearings so need to know which one to use. For the standard Alpha/Bravo it would have a dot with NO paint in the dot

 

[Bb440zp]

Can get the Merc alignment tool 91-80547A1 which is also used for TR and TRS drives, but there not used much anymore
https://www.mercruiserparts.com/805475a1-alignment-tool-kt-1

The Merc gimbal install tool is several items
The key one to have is the mandrel 30366 of something similar which will drive the bearing in with contact only to the outer carrier. It is removed with a slide hammer or other puller

View attachment 348565

If the ebay person had only a couple comments of a bad tool, this could be the person using it didn't know really how to align the motor. If they only had a 100 sales then pass, but if they ad 10,000 its probably ok

You need a manual for the drive to get the info. Now they make only permalube gimbal bearings so need to know which one to use. For the standard Alpha/Bravo it would have a dot with NO paint in the dot

Thanx for the info. Im told that my drive is pre alpha due to the ribs on the side and the hole through the cap. So my bearing will be different than alpha drive?
I have the serial number but get no results when searching for it. Any suggestions how to find proper bearing?

 

[alldodge]

All of the bearigs are the same for VP, OMC, Indmar, Merc (MR, pre, gen 1 , gen 2, bravo), and only difference is if you have a HP transom assembly.

What is your serial number?

 

[Bb440zp]

4680072 serial.
1.84r is stamped on label too.
What is hp?

 

[alldodge]

HP is High Performance such as X, XR and XZ drives

Your good the regular Merc, VP, OMC bearing will work
Might even find some new old stock (NOS) greaseable bearings (I stll have 2 NOS on the shelf

 

[Scott Danforth]

Thanx for the info. Im told that my drive is pre alpha due to the ribs on the side and the hole through the cap. So my bearing will be different than alpha drive?
I have the serial number but get no results when searching for it. Any suggestions how to find proper bearing?

no such thing as a pre-alpha drive. you have an MC1 .....'splained here https://forums.iboats.com/threads/is-the-pre-alpha-the-same-as-a-alpha-1.509700/#post-3627013

 

[Bb440zp]

Thanx. Good information.

 

[Bb440zp]

HP is High Performance such as X, XR and XZ drives

Your good the regular Merc, VP, OMC bearing will work
Might even find some new old stock (NOS) greaseable bearings (I stll have 2 NOS on the shelf

So are the ones on your shelf for sale?
It seems like greeseable would be better.

 

[alldodge]

No, and sales, gimme and trades are against the ruled

 

[Bb440zp]

Ok. Sorry bout that. I guess I best read the rules. Thanx for sharing your expertise.

 

[todhunter]

I bought the MBS Manufacturing brand tools for pulling the gimbal bearing, installing the new one, and aligning the engine/drive. They seem well made and I had no problem with mine. I bought them on Amazon.

 

[Bb440zp]

I bought the MBS Manufacturing brand tools for pulling the gimbal bearing, installing the new one, and aligning the engine/drive. They seem well made and I had no problem with mine. I bought them on Amazon.

Ive seen that brand. Hard to tell these days which tools work. Thx for the tip. Ill check them out.

 

[Bb440zp]

Ive seen that brand. Hard to tell these days which tools work. Thx for the tip. Ill check them out.

Mbs looks like a good tool. Their description doesnt mention m1 drives. Will it work for mine? M1 drive?