Question regarding MR drive gumbal bearing

[brucec]

The manual for the outdrive gimbal bearing says notches should face in. Does this mean the two notches that are about an inch and a half long? The reason I ask is that those were facing to the back when I disassembled my drive. I am the original owner and have never had any work done on the boat. Who assembles these units as far as the bearing installation goes
the boat builder or Mercury?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Mercury does the assembly. The slots are there to install the bearing in the tolerance ring. A long time ago when merc sold just the bearing you could turn it sideways in the slots and remove the old bearing and replace it. What you were not told was the tiny hole in the outer race must locate in the internal groove in the tolerance ring. That how the grease gets into the bearing..People kept destroying the bearings from lack of grease

I find no difference in the slots fore or aft when installing a gimbal bearing. Some of the newer bearings for Bravo`s are offset a bit so it may matter doing those.
Considering you can buy the sealed bearings now(even though I dont agree with the theory) putting the slots facing in is not an issue anymore

 

[brucec]

Thanks. I am beginning to think that my boat was put together at the dealer out of leftover parts. I bought this boat just as Century was going out of business.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... The bearin's are symmetrical, 'n will run just fine either way,.....

Facin' the slots forward, forces ya to change the bearin', 'n tolerance ring,...... Complete,....
No cheatin' just the bearin',.....