U-Joints and Gimble Bearing

[Gunner1187]

was wondering if anyone could give me an idea of how much it should cost to replace the u-joints and gimble bearings on a 4.3 mercruiser with alpha 1 outdrive. I have an estimate of around $2000 didnt know if that was reasonable.

 

[180shabah]

Re: U-Joints and Gimble Bearing

Bearing is a hundred dollar part plus a couple hours labor.
U-joints should also be under a hundred bucks with similar labor.

That estimate may include other items like bellows, shift cable, sea water pump etc. if it is just the bearing and u-joint I would shop around. I would probably shop around anyway.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: U-Joints and Gimble Bearing

If I did the job for that,I`d buy you dinner
bearing 60
U joints 70-90
3-4 hours labor
But realize that if anything else looks a bit funky, now would be the time to have it replaced

 

[TpaPaul813]

Re: U-Joints and Gimble Bearing

I am doing my own now..when I 1st called they wanted $500 for all the parts and $450 to do the work..

 

[PitchFork]

Re: U-Joints and Gimble Bearing

I did mine for under a $100 U-Joint $23 JHall eBay and Gimble from local shop $50. Just make sure you have an alignment tool, check for water in the bellows, lube the shift fork, make it is in forward gear both when you remove the drive and when you reinstall it my drive popped out of forward gear so I locked into gear by moving the shoe and turning the prop shaft CCW. I made alignment at work on the CNC Lathe.It took about 4 hours to do it all, but well worth it. The boat runs much quieter and idles better.

 

[gshldon]

Re: U-Joints and Gimble Bearing

for $2000, you can probably get a brand new out drive and still have money left over. Just do the work yourself take your time and it really isnt that bad of a job as long as you are somewhat mechanically inclined.

Good luck

 

[Gunner1187]

Re: U-Joints and Gimble Bearing

Thanks for all the info! The estimate is for replacing shift cable, hoses, and bellows but the parts still seem high to me $1000 just in parts

 

[gshldon]

Re: U-Joints and Gimble Bearing

i bought everything except the shift cable, for $175, that included, all bellows, hinge pin tool, bellows adhesive, and gasket kit for the drive and all seals, new water hose, and ujoints as well, and also gimbal bearing. did the work myself and now out on the water.

Good luck