Was thinking of ordering one of those kits on Ebay that has six tools - Alignment tool, bellow expanders, seal tools, etc.
$120, all U.S. made.... anybody have any experience with them? http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALIGNMENT-GI...207be2&vxp=mtr



Anyway, ordered this kit today: MerCruiser Bravo Transom Seal Kit 30-803100T1 from a buddy who can get OEM Merc. parts at good prices ($175 CAD) for the kit. Not sure if the bearing will be the greaseable, or Permalube type yet... we'll see.

I had a bad gimbel bearing , it didn't smoke, it just made alot of noise

If the gimbal bearing was that bad. It could have done damage to the coupler, that could on been what was smoking. Especially if it smelled like rubber burning.

It might not have been the coupler burning. Most likely the rubber seal just in front of the gimbal bearing being the motor. By the looks of it, the bearing got pretty hot and transfered the heat the seal. Check the seal for damage prior to re-assembly.

Gonna inspect the coupler as best I can, and I guess the next trip out will tell me if there's any damage. Splines look good, but hard to inspect the rest. Pulling the engine is not high on my fun things to do list....

On the coupler, there are a couple zerks. What do they lube exactly, just the splines?

Damn thats the first time I've seen a gimbal bearing come out on the shaft when you pull the drive!! It didnt mess up the transom asembly where the bearing mounts in at did it? Was that sucker welded onto the shaft from all the heat that was generated?

Apparently it does happen when the bearing seizes sometimes. Haven't had a chance to look at it yet. Seal is toast too...

Chances are the coupler is fine. I have seen bearings much worse and the coupler was still fine and in perfect shape. Buy the new seal, yank the old one out, install the new one, install the new gimball bearing in the correct orientation (if its not the updated version) and drive it to the correct depth. You should be fine.

Yep, parts will be in next week. As long as the housing is fine, shouldn't be a big issue...

And you're right about the seal (just fwd of the bearing)... It's all charred/chewed, so i'm pretty sure that's what was smoking.

What's the updated version bearing?

Parts guy says the seal just forward of the gimbal bearing is not required if the new bearing is the Permalube type. I believe I read somewhere that this seal is only to keep grease at/near the bearing, so maybe this is correct, and not required?