Upper Swivel Shaft Bushing in Merc Gimbal Housings

[Brentathon]

Has anyone ever removed an upper swivel shaft bushing (23-98356) from an Alpha or Bravo drive? If so, how did you do it, or what tool did you use, etc.???
The service manual says to use a bushing puller like SnapOn #CG40CB, however that's a pretty expensive too.
I just received my SS swivel shaft, and I'm awaiting all the remaining parts (seal, bushings, etc.). I NEED to stop this swivel shaft seal leak.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Upper Swivel Shaft Bushing in Merc Gimbal Housings

When I did mine, as I recall, I did not remove the small upper swivel bushing. I just replaced the larger bushing and seal. I personally would lube it up with 2-4-C and leave it.

 

[Brentathon]

Re: Upper Swivel Shaft Bushing in Merc Gimbal Housings

Thanks for the reply.
Well, since I'm doing this to stop a plagueing leak....I wanted to replace any/all other parts that could lead to a seal degradation.
I hope someone out there can provide some helpful tip(s).
This Alpha & Bravo swivel shaft seal leak seems to plague many others, yet clear, definitive instructions/information (pictures?) seems difficult to find.
Even the various Merc service manuals seem to have different info (some show lip up, some show 2 seals for Alpha Gen I, some say to use loctite on O.D. of seal, etc. etc.)

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Upper Swivel Shaft Bushing in Merc Gimbal Housings

The only way I can see for water to get in there is past the lower seal on the larger upper bushing. I do not believe that water comes in contact with the upper bushing at all. I would think that your new pin, bushing and seal should solve your problem. Good luck.

 

[Brentathon]

Re: Upper Swivel Shaft Bushing in Merc Gimbal Housings

Thanks.
Well, I guess it may not be absolutely necessary to do the small upper bushing, if I (or mechanic) just can't seem to get the old one out.
Do you think you'd be able to determine if the upper one is worn, by inserting the swivel shaft up there, to feel the "play"? I wonder....

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Upper Swivel Shaft Bushing in Merc Gimbal Housings

Install a grease fitting, works wonders

 

[Brentathon]

Re: Upper Swivel Shaft Bushing in Merc Gimbal Housings

So, I got the stainless steel swivel shaft, and the seals and bushing, to prepare for this job.
One thing I noticed, is the O.D. of the seal is considerably larger than the O.D. of the lower (a.k.a. larger) swivel shaft bushing.
Seal = 1.381"
Bushing = 1.283"
I'm wondering if the seal O.D. really gets squished that much? Seems like a lot, especially since the seal is rather stiff (probably metal reinfoced), except for the spring energized sealing lip which is quite supple.
Also, the larger sealing surface of the shaft cannot completely fit the bushing and 2 seals, and it seems that my late model Gen 1 calls for 2, yet Gen II's and Bravo's call for only 1 seal. I would sure prefer 2 seals, if they can fit.
Bushing sealing surface height = .725"
Bushing height = .44"
Seal height = .188
I REALLY WISH I could find someone who's gone through all this before. Anybody????

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Upper Swivel Shaft Bushing in Merc Gimbal Housings

I did and had no trouble. Replaced the larger lower bushing and seal. Drove the old ones out and the new ones in. Did not touch the upper bushing. Two seals? Are you sure that you are not confusing the upper shaft bushing with the lower shaft bushing, that has two seals,top and bottom. Some of the older ones had a seal on the bottom of the upper bushing. Sounds like your seal is a little large, may want to check with your merc dealer and make sure, or check where you got it from.

 

[Brentathon]

Re: Upper Swivel Shaft Bushing in Merc Gimbal Housings

Thanks for the reply.
Do you recall any of the part numbers of your bushings and seals?

I ordered (for the upper swivel shaft):
(1) 23-98356 Upper bushing (small one)
(1) 23-983571 Lower bushing (large one)
(2) 26-8M2005029 Seal (for lower/larger bushing)

I have no grease fittings, and i am assuming I have the newer square/square style swivel shaft, which uses the above bushings rather than needle bearings.

Do you know where I can double-check the part numbers and quantities?

On the gimbal housing bore (where the large bushing and seal(s) get pressed in), is there a lip that prevents the bushing or seal from being pressed too far upward.....into the cavity where the steering arm goes?

 

[Brentathon]

Re: Upper Swivel Shaft Bushing in Merc Gimbal Housings

Here is a picture of the larger bushing (stainless steel) for the Upper Swivel Shaft next to the seal (black).
You can see that the seal's O.D. is approx 0.100" larger.
Help please.

 

[trumanlake]

Re: Upper Swivel Shaft Bushing in Merc Gimbal Housings

Did the exact same job this winter. Could not see shelling out the bucks for the Snap-On tool to use just once. Settled on a (5/8"?)concrete bolt and made a puller out of it.

 

[StevNimrod]

Re: Upper Swivel Shaft Bushing in Merc Gimbal Housings

Thanks for the reply.
Do you recall any of the part numbers of your bushings and seals?

I ordered (for the upper swivel shaft):
(1) 23-98356 Upper bushing (small one)
(1) 23-983571 Lower bushing (large one)
(2) 26-8M2005029 Seal (for lower/larger bushing)

I have no grease fittings, and i am assuming I have the newer square/square style swivel shaft, which uses the above bushings rather than needle bearings.

Do you know where I can double-check the part numbers and quantities?

On the gimbal housing bore (where the large bushing and seal(s) get pressed in), is there a lip that prevents the bushing or seal from being pressed too far upward.....into the cavity where the steering arm goes?

I did this repair when I had my engine out at the beginning of this season. You do NOT need two of 26-8M2005029. I believe there is a website that says you need two, but I called Merc at the time and they confirmed that you only need one!

I too replaced all the bushings while I was in there. Just because I was that far in and it would (for whatever reason) bother me knowing I didn't put new bushings on the new shaft.

I went to AutoZone and rented an "Blind Hole Bearing Puller". Find the one that fits the upper bushing. What I ended up having to do was threading a short bit of rod into the hole in the bottom of the appropriate blind hole tool. Then I put a washer and nut at the end of the rod. I put a big pair of vise grips on the rod, just above the washer and nut. Got a nice sized hammer and carefully (as carefully as you can with a BFH) started beating on the vise grips near the jaws. It took me a bit of time to get the method right because the bushing walls aren't very thick and the tool wanted to slip out without bringing the bushing with it. If that happens, make sure you expand the tool as much as you can and also make sure that you are above the bushing so you aren't trying to expand the tool into the bushing walls.

If you don't already have the bushing installation tools I have them in the garage and it would be nice to see someone get some use out of them. For that matter, I think I have the appropriate rod as well.

Lastly, I used Loctite 276 instead of 271 on the seal. The 276 is a little thicker and I found it easier to work when applying to the outside diameter of the seal and then having to handle the seal to install. I believe the properties for 276 and 271 aren't materially different in terms of function. Plus my local tool shop gave me a sample pack of 276 for free and it was just enough to get the job done!

 

[StevNimrod]

Re: Upper Swivel Shaft Bushing in Merc Gimbal Housings

Also, my understanding is that there are two ways to do this: (1) drilling holes in the gimbal housing, and (2) removing the engine and transom assembly.

I wasn't a big fan of the first method because you plug the holes with plastic plugs and I already had the engine out.

If you're using the second method, now would be a good time to replace the transom seal (I glued mine in place with bellows adhesive, making sure the butt joint in the new seal is at the top of the housing) and bellows + shift cable. In addition, I removed my transom assembly without completely disconnecting the trim hydraulics at the gimbal housing. I disconnected at the trim pump, pulled the gimbal housing with the trim hoses, and only took apart what I needed to once it was on the bench.

I don't know how far you are into it, but some people have said their old swivel shaft came out easily once the bolts were loosened. I was not so lucky and ended up retapping the threads in the bottom of the shaft and using a long length of threaded rod + some washers + a nut to pull the old shaft.

With the engine removed and replacing all bellows, the shift cable, the swivel shaft + bushings + seal, setting the correct gimbal ring clearance, installing the transom seal, etc. I had 28 hours into it. This is with the engine already out and does not include putting the engine back in. Probably 10 hours of that was learning as I went - going out to get threaded rod and other misc. hardware, taps, and not knowing exactly how to do certain things.

 

[Brentathon]

Re: Upper Swivel Shaft Bushing in Merc Gimbal Housings

Thanks so much for the info.
I purchased the installation tool 91-43578 (a "compound" type of tool), which seems to fit both the upper & lower bushings for the Swivel Shaft, and I'm wondering if I really need the other 2 tools that Merc calls out to install these bushing (91-33489 & 91-33491)?
Also, as previously questioned; since the seal's O.D. is approx 0.100" larger than the bushing's O.D., does the bore in the gimbal housing have a step (i.e. 2 different bore I.D.'s), to accomodate the different O.D.'s of the bushing and seal? If so, that would make sense, as the seal does not look like it could compress 0.050"/side, upon installation....that much compression on the O.D. of the seal, looks like it would ruin the seal.

 

[StevNimrod]

Re: Upper Swivel Shaft Bushing in Merc Gimbal Housings

Thanks so much for the info.
I purchased the installation tool 91-43578 (a "compound" type of tool), which seems to fit both the upper & lower bushings for the Swivel Shaft, and I'm wondering if I really need the other 2 tools that Merc calls out to install these bushing (91-33489 & 91-33491)?
Also, as previously questioned; since the seal's O.D. is approx 0.100" larger than the bushing's O.D., does the bore in the gimbal housing have a step (i.e. 2 different bore I.D.'s), to accomodate the different O.D.'s of the bushing and seal? If so, that would make sense, as the seal does not look like it could compress 0.050"/side, upon installation....that much compression on the O.D. of the seal, looks like it would ruin the seal.

I only used the one tool (the compound type you mention) to install the upper + lower bushings. If memory serves, I also used that same tool to install the seal.

The bore in the gimbal housing does have a step to accomodate the seal OD. Be careful not to gouge the sealing surface when removing the old seal and be sure to clean the sealing surface before installing the new seal.

 

[fizzlebean]

READ THIS!
I just finished replacing the upper swivel shaft bearing/bushing. I first tried to remove it by cutting a transverse groove with a dremel cutoff wheel on a flexible shaft, and then to pull it out with a screwdriver blade heated and bent to an "L". It would not budge. I wasn't fond of some of the other ideas, like the expensive expanding tool.

So, I googled "blind bushing removal" and on an automotive forum, I saw a brilliant idea: 1) fill the bushing cavity with grease, halfway or so. 2) insert a shaft of the proper diameter. 3) hit the end of the shaft with a hammer to force the bushing out hydraulically.

IT WORKED! As the bushing made its way out, I had to add more grease. I started off with a small hammer and had to work my way up to a 5# before it moved. Once it did, though, it was out in a couple of hits.

Here's the great part: after the gimbal yoke is removed and before you do anything else, fill the bushing cavity with grease, re-insert the old upper steering shaft, and then use it to remove the bushing! It even has a large hammer surface to beat on.

I hope this saves some of you unneeded hassle and expense in removing that bushing.