vovlvo sx-m gimble bearing troubles!

[seventeen2]

Hello to all!
I have been attempting to complete a bellows change on my 2007 volvo sx-m single prop drives, which is, as always not without incident!
The drives were simple to pull, I thought they would be a pain as the have not been off since new (the boat is a 32 foot motorcruiser...not trailerable).
After the valuable info on this forum, I have checked the gimble bearing for smoothness, one is fine, the other is rough when turned but no play.
The gimble bearings have not been lubed since the drives were installed, but have only done 55 hours, but I understand that sitting idle hasnt helped (the boat is undergoing a re-fit).
I have ordered the new bearing from Volvo, they still kept a straight face when charging me ?106.00!! I need to keep them sweet as im trying to let them hire me the alignment tool!
I understand that i need to remove the pivot housing to pull the bearing with a slide hammer, of which I assume will just pull straight out? *The engines are still installed into the boat and I guess you cannot access the rear of the housing?
I do have some final questions regarding future maintainance of the drive.
1. There is a grease nipple on the side of the transom plate of which supplies grease to the gimble bearing....probably a silly question, but how do you get a grease gun onto it, the transom housing appears to cover it over? Am I right in thinking that you use a gun with a slide on fitting?

2. Corrosion is an issue on these particulair drives (they sit in salt water), Ihave noticed corrosion (rust) appearing on the forward / reverse selector input seal, Is there anything that I can spray on that will slow this?

If I can persuade the Volvo agents to lend me the alignment tool, I hope to have it all back together by the weekend!!

Thanks in advance

Danny

 

[rodbolt]

Re: vovlvo sx-m gimble bearing troubles!

only the drive needs to be removed to knock out the gimbal bearing.
if the original drives were swedish and NOT sx and the used the transom adapters plates to mount the sx style transom shield to the older swedish cut out and did not change the straight grease nipple(standard on an SX shield) for the 90* fitting(mandatory with the adapter plate) you simply cannot grease the gimbal bearing.
that gimbal bearing was also used for the yamaha stern drive and the alpha merc drives and is avalible aftermarket and all were made by link belt.
when installing the notches face forward.

 

[seventeen2]

Re: vovlvo sx-m gimble bearing troubles!

Thank you for the reply Rodbolt.
As i understand it, the transom shield around the outside the outdrive is an adaptor plate, and some of these drives do without?
Fitting a 90 degree grease nipple is not a problem, but the funny thing is, I was cursing it the other day stating why that hadnt been done!!
I have another question that I hope you could offer any advice?
Working through the manuel, it states that when installing the new drive bellows its required to smear both ends with "Volvo Penta Gasket Sealant"?
I understand that some of the guys on here do not use it at all, but im a bit nervous due to the boat sitting in a marina for 10 months of the year , mostly unattended.
Please could anyone advise what type of gasket sealant the volvo stuff is (the old stuff on the drive and pivot housing looks like dried grease), could I get away with anything else (rtv silicone)?
Also you say that it is not necessary to remove the pivot housing to gain access to the gimbal, I really could do without removing it as it would call for the trim sender to be re-set.
Please could you offer any advise as to how i can drive the bearing out, from outside the boat I cant really see any access points.

Thanks once again
Danny