Vibration when turning

[ranger481vs]

Ok, thanks for confirming. I will plan on replacing the gimbal bearing next.

 

[ranger481vs]

I removed them gimbal bearing tonight, and installed the new one. I wish I would have taken a measurement before removing the old one, so I could check that against the new install to make sure I got it seated all the way.

I tried putting the drive on, and it got stuck 1 in away from the bell housing. I tried removing the drive and it is stuck. I cannot for the life of me get it unstuck. Feels like the shaft is what is stuck

 

[Bondo]

and installed the new one.

Ayuh,..... Did you align it with an alignment bar,..??

 

[ranger481vs]

I checked the alignment before removing the the old one. I did not recheck anything after installing the new one though. I used the MBS installer kit, which has the cylindrical installed that attaches to the alignment bar.

 

[Bondo]

I did not recheck anything after installing the new one though.

Ayuh,.... That's a Necessary step,.....

 

[Rick Stephens]

Sounds like the gimbal part of the gimbal bearing is not aligned with the coupler.

 

[ranger481vs]

Learning things the hard way. Any tips on pulling the drive back out?

 

[AShipShow]

Unfortunately, you pretty much need to muscle it out or gently use a prybar for leverage... also, be careful you don't mar up the gasket surface, some of the surfaces are pretty narrow and can be dinged up easily... if you can, put a piece of wood where the prybar hits the drive so you don't deform it...

I've had this happen to me before I knew about aligning stuff.

The good news is, your pretty much never the only person to ever do something dumb to a boat.

 

[Bondo]

Learning things the hard way. Any tips on pulling the drive back out?

Ayuh,..... Hook the trim rams back up, put a block of wood 'tween the top of the outdsrive, 'n the transom, 'n hit the up button,.....

 

[tpenfield]

Learning things the hard way. Any tips on pulling the drive back out?

Boy it sure sounds like it. Maybe you can use the trim rams to get the drive to break loose.

Is the gimbal bearing in backwards? and therefore not going all the way home? Been there, done that. . .

 

[ranger481vs]

The trim ram did the trick. Great tip, thank you! I appreciate the help and patience you guys have while I sort through these things.

So, two things:

1. I realize now, that I did not properly check my alignment originally. I cannot get the alignment bar all the way in to reach the coupler splines to even check the alignment. I will research this issue, but not sure how to make adjustments, when I can't even perform the test with the alignment bar.

2. The gimbal bearing I received is a sealed version. It did not appear that there was a way to install it backwards. I installed it with the slots facing aft. There is a red Dot on the opposite side, and I wonder if that needs to be lined up with something. The bearing did not come with any instructions...

 

[Rick Stephens]

You are fine on the gimbal bearing. Mercruiser even changed which direction they advised the bearing be installed to the reverse of what you have.... the reason: that way the inner bearing couldn't be replaced without also removing, and hopefully replacing the outer carrier. The slots in the bearing carrier allow the inner bearing to rotate and be removed without taking out the carrier. Mercruiser has found that they should be replaced as matched pairs.

The key to installing a gimbal bearing is once it is seated, eyeball it to see where the center points and use your alignment bar to get it to point as close to the coupler as you can. Then insert the alinment bar and get it started into the coupler. At that point I use a dead blow hammer, some use their palm, to give the bar a hard smack up, down, left and right. This will align it completely and let you get to checking engine alignment. Gimbal bearings 'gimbal'. Meaning they can aim anywhere within a given range.

 

[ranger481vs]

Ok, that worked. It does appear that I need some realigning, so I will work on that today.

 

[kenny nunez]

Do you have the later style of alignment bar that fits into the extension of the coupler? The earlier style bar will not go in far enough to reach the splines.

 

[ranger481vs]

After adjusting the engine mounts, everything is aligned perfectly, and the drive went back on with ease. That alone, felt good. Tested the boat on the lake this morning, and the vibrations were gone.

Thanks again for walking me through things. Can't thank all of you enough.