Should I replace gimbal bearing? Do I need an alignment tool?

[MikeDobbs]

Hi everyone-

So I'm getting ready to do a full bellows job on my alpha gen2 drive. I pulled everything out today, and cleaned up the gimbal housing and mating surfaces. I'm unsure about how to handle the gimbal bearing. I was thinking of replacing it since I've got everything off already, but I'm concerned about needing an engine alignment tool to do it correctly.

Am I being overly cautious? Or is an engine alignment tool really needed to do this job correctly. Also, it seems from Youtube videos, that I can always replace the gimbal bearing later by just pulling the leg off, and that I don't need to pull the gimbal or mess with the bellows. Is this correct? If so, I don't mind leaving the gimbal bearing for another time as long as I don't have to redo the bellows (pulling the leg is no big deal).

Thanks as always

 

[tkarvelis]

If it was me I would do the bearing along with the drive shaft cable. I was going to do mine this year, but I took it to my Marine Mechanic to do since I did not have the alignment tools, and he looked at my bellows, and said that I am good for a year or two. I was looking at it as preventive maintenance. You do need to check the alignment if you pull it, otherwise it will be a lot more money down the road.

 

[theblockhead]

You are correct. You do not need to disturb the bellows in order to change the gimbal bearing. However, even if you don't change it, you should still check the alignment with the tool whenever you have the drive off. You would probably know if your gimbal bearing was badly worn. I know from experience it makes an unmistakable loud noise.

 

[MikeDobbs]

The bearing doesn't seem to have any play at all to me. It spines freely, but I wouldn't say it is "butter" smooth (not sure if it should be). It feels like I can feel little rollers spinning as I turn the bearing if that makes sense. Does that sound OK- or does that sound like it should be replaced?

 

[Bob79]

If in Doubt change it out.

 

[flipbro]

Its failing. You shouldn't be able ro feel the bearings rolling in there cage. Unless its dry and if that's the case damage has been done. Sounds like it needs replacing. . Definitely get the alignment tool its a must have tool when doing your own work.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

It should feel smooth as silk. If you can feel any roughness it's time.

You can pick up an alignment tool on ebay relatively cheap.

 

[johnzonh]

gotta do the same thing on mine...since is is all coming out 'together' ..might as well replace them as a set.... not too expensive if you do it yourself....plenty of videos and how-to's out there... then you also have the peace of mind that the parts will be good for a few years and you don't have to go back in and replace parts at odd intervals good luck

 

[PeterB26]

You can do the gimbal bearing later if you don't have the right stuff to do it now. It is straight forward enough once you have the leg off, you don't have to remove the bell housing or bellows again.

The aligniment tool is a good thing to have. There was a version on E-bay not too long ago that was a version of an alignment tool which was also the basis for a couple of other special tool functions like driving the bearing back in properly, seating the bellows, and so on. Also a gimbal bearing pullers. They are good tools at a very attractive price for t DIY'r. Search e-bay for "Mercruiser alignment tool." There are several listings for them.

A word of caution: The new gimbal bearing comes pressed into a new aluminum bearing housing. You replace the whole assembly. If they didn't press the bearing in properly to fully seat it in the aliuminum housing at the factory you will show mis-alingment when you put the whole into your boat. This is because the bearing is actually a little cocked in teh housing and thus in the boat. I got two new gimbal bearings both of which had this fault. It is easy to correct, just press the bearing fully into the aluminum housing before you start. But check for it before you go to mount it into the boat!

Peter

 

[MikeDobbs]

No Title

OK- I greased my gimbal bearing and it feels quite a bit better now. The UJ bellows was still in tact, and the boat was in a driveway for two years prior to my purchase- so perhaps the bearing just kind of dried out?

Anyway, I'm planning on beginning the bellows replacement tomorrow. At this moment I'm planning on leaving the bearing in place. I did go on Amazon and order an engine alignment tool, which should be here midweek. So, if I feel I need to replace the bearing I can always do that later in the week (or at the end of the season if it seems to be working well).

I've got everything off and cleaned up to the best of my ability. One thing of note- I did my very best to get the shift cable off the bell housing with "normal" tools, but just couldn't get any good purchase on that nut (which was unbelievably tight by the way). So, after a quick call to the local marina (who wanted $38 for the special tool) I instead took my $5 deep well 9/16" socket to the body shop down the street and they welded an 11/16" nut to the end. The guy was so cool, he didn't even charge me- so now I have a custom shift cable tool! Pictures attached of my awesome tool, as well as bell housing and gimbal housing prepped for bellows installation.