Removing gimbal bearing

[bheston]

1989 OMC cobra 4.3L, I got into the gimbal bearing and am not sure how to remove it. I have read through the posts I can find and some use a slide hammer and others a puller, what works best? My manual tells me to use a puller, my puller doesn't fit into the bearing. One document shows the inner part of the bearing turning 90 degrees and then coming out, but when I turn mine it hits the housing behind the bearing and won't make the 90 degree turn. For a slide hammer how do you get it behind the bearing to pull outward? Thanks for the help!

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Removing gimbal bearing

Depending on the condition of your gimbal bearing, and how long it's been in there, I might suggest drilling holes into it. The slide hammer has a claw that folds down, you insert the end into the gimbal bearing, and open the claw. I tried a slide hammer on mine but to no avail. My advice would be to drill holes, and then chip it out with a fat flathead screwdriver and hammer. You have to be careful not to get anything else in this process, but it is very effective.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Removing gimbal bearing

I use a slide hammer. Works for me. If the bearing is rusted, soak it overnite with PB Blaster. It will make your life a whole lot easier. By the way, you can rent them at Taylor Rental. A few years back, the gimbal bearing on my boat was so rusted, it took me 2 days hammering on that puller to get the bearing out. The slide hammer was just about destroyed. I still can't figure out why Taylor didn't make me pay for it. But, I don't think the clerk knew what he was looking at.

 

[mkast]

Re: Removing gimbal bearing

Use a bigger slide hammer, even the rusted ones pop out.