To rebuild or not to rebuild (gimbal ring)

[natemoore]

After learning my lesson on using Sierra and Mallory aftermarket parts and missing out on an entire year of boating, I've got all new Quicksilver parts to redo the bell housing. The Mallory U-joint bellows and exhaust bellows failed withing a year, as well as the Sierra trim limit and sender units, so I replaced those with Quicksilver. Ordered a new Quicksilver gimbal bearing and seal, and a new shift cable boot since I couldn't remember if it was aftermarket or OEM. Also bought a new SEI 106 outdrive (yeah, I know, I just contradicted myself regarding aftermarket).

So the question is, now that I have the bell housing off, should I rebuild the gimbal ring? I've read that it's a huge PITA to get it off, but replacing the bushings and seals is straight forward. There's no slop between the steering arm and gimbal ring, but thinking about preemptively doing it because, hopefully, I will not have it apart this far any time soon. Plus, I can pretty it up with a coat of paint.

Opinions?

 

[alldodge]

Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild (gimbal ring)

If you have no play in the gimbal I wouldn't mess with it. The upper pin bushing is a pain if it needs to be replaced but can be done. If so you drill 3/4 inch holes on each side to get at it.

So far a Mallory parts, they make a whole lot of parts used by Merc that are rebranded. Don't know why you would have had issues

 

[natemoore]

Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild (gimbal ring)

You got me. The only time the outdrive was all the way up was from home to the boat ramp and back. I always stored it with the outdrive all the way down so it wouldn't continually stress the rubber. But the exhaust bellow split within six month, trim senders shortly thereafter, and the U-joint bellows developed a finger size crack last summer...the very first time we went out.

 

[achris]

Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild (gimbal ring)

If you have no play in the gimbal I wouldn't mess with it. The upper pin bushing is a pain if it needs to be replaced but can be done. If so you drill 3/4 inch holes on each side to get at it.

So far a Mallory parts, they make a whole lot of parts used by Merc that are rebranded. Don't know why you would have had issues

I've also had after-market parts issues... Particularly exhaust elbow/manifolds, bellows and shift cables...

 

[alldodge]

Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild (gimbal ring)

I've also had after-market parts issues... Particularly exhaust elbow/manifolds, bellows and shift cables...

You the guy and would know better then me. Haven't done many just never had an issue, but just thought, doesn't Mallory make more of the ignition parts then boots?

 

[achris]

Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild (gimbal ring)

You the guy and would know better then me. Haven't done many just never had an issue, but just thought, doesn't Mallory make more of the ignition parts then boots?

Anybody with access to a Chinese factory can make anything these days. The question is just quality... And a lot of the stuff coming out of China is very low quality... If I see the word 'Mallory' or 'GLM' on anything, I don't walk, I run away...

Chris....

 

[stonyloam]

Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild (gimbal ring)

If you have no play in the gimbal I wouldn't mess with it.

++++1 Alldodge!!!! Keep those clamping screws tight!!

The only non OEM stuff I use now are gaskets (except of course the head gasket).