AO31, I wholeheartedly agree, though I can take it one step further: Buy a used takeoff assembly from me, in excellent freshwater condition, at a great price!

Harry

As you said, make him an offer he can't refuse. Makes sense if your part needs nothing more than installation. Everybody wins!

Well, I am looking at $2500 for labour PLUS the cost of the Transom assembly ($1000-2000) so, its going to be A LOT not a "little" more money.

I think doing the repair using a "remachined" gimble ring would be less than 1K total.

If it wasn't so expensive to pull the motor I would consider it.

Just curious? If I bought a new Gimble ring could I change it without pulling the motor? Or do you need the "2 ugly plugs" to hook everything up?

you dont have to pull the motor to change the gimbal ring you can access it through the two plugs. get a manual for bravo's you should be able to get one at your local auto parts store for around 30 bucks or http://www.4shared.com/file/13782478...Manual_11.html is a link to download the manual it should work and is free hope this helps and sorry about the not being able to help. the instructions start on page 344

Gimbal ring replacement does not require the motor to be pulled. Here's what you need to do.
Buy a manual $25
Buy a hinge pin tool, $15
Read the manual instructions.
Remove drive, use the hinge pin tool to remove the bell housing.
take out the lower swivel pin cotter pin, remove the lower swivel pin.
Remove the U bolt nuts on the ring. Remove the 2 big ugly plugs, reach in with a wrench and loosen the steering shaft bolt. Loosen the nut on the upper swivel shaft from inside the boat, drop the upper swivel shaft. Now the ring comes off.
There is an upper swivel shaft bearing and seals and a lower bearing. Drfinitely replace these ~$50.
Check all the other bushings, replace if worn.
I would replace the drive bellows if its old, follow instructions from manual (bellows/adhesive $120).
Also a good time to inspect the gimbal bearing.
Send out your ring for repairs $250.
You've got $500 and a days work in it.
Now the bad news, there's a very slight possibility that the wobling upper swivel shaft has worn the transom assembly where it rides in the bearing, check to make sure the new bearing and seals seat in there correctly.
Also, since you had water leaking by the upper swivel pin seals, there might be some corrosion or pitting. Replace the pin if the bearing/seal surfaces are damaged.

Sikinboat: NO NEED to apoligize! I appreciate the help and will check out the link to the manual and/or buy one, Thanks again!

rdoactive: Thanks! I should have been more clear in my post, what I was wondering is: If I was to buy a "new" gimble ring [or a "good" used one] would I be able to replace it without pulliing the motor? or do I NEED the "two big ugly nuts" in the ring itself to get access to hook everything up? I only ask because the boat is at the cottage now, and I would like to just get a get a new/used gimble ring and change it all at once, instead of tearing it apart, sending out the ring and then waiting a week or 2 to go back up there and re install everything.

I am actually thinking this might not be THAT tough of a job, I am gonna grab a manual, and/or download one and have a look

Thanks again Guys!
Michael

does someone make a kit for Alphas as well?

Honestly, until you get it apart, you never know what you'll need. I've had frozed swivel pins that required cutting the bottom gimbal housing pin tab, stripped threads on the hinge pins, etc. You might be able to reuse the plugs or you might butcher them getting them out.
What you definitely will need are the upper swivel pin bushing and bearing, and the seal(s). Lower swivel pin bushing and cotter pin (they usually break).
You might need, new hinge pin bushings, new bellows, upper swivel pin, plugs, and of course the gimbal ring.
You in a hurry, is it warm enough to go boating in Canada?

LOL!! Well, its supposed to be 50 degree's and sunny this weekend, but, we could end up with 2 feet of snow on Monday, weather "up here" is just crazy the last few years!

I am not in a huge hurry, but, would kinda like to have my "ducks in a row" so to speak, so, that when I do start the job I have everything ready, or as much as I can have ready, as you say, I really wont know what I am up against completely until I get it apart. Thats why I wondered if I could just buy a "new" gimble ring and have it ready when I pulled the old one off? I think after doing a little [more] research there is a difference between a "gimble ring" and a "gimble housing", correct? While I have it apart I would like to change "everything" that might need changing. I had the actual "drive' itself checked last year and it was good, put a new coupler in, greased and aligned everything etc, so, I am hoping if I can fix the gimble ring I should be "good to go"

Thanks for the list Rdoactive! I am gonna start looking around for these items now, should I try Ebay? or just get them from a dealer? I assume I will also need the actual "swivel pin" and seal? My boat was previously run in salt water [but fresh water cooled] and I have heard the salt water really eats stuff like that up.

Sikinboat: I was able to download that link, THANKS! I have saved it on my laptop and will have it in front of me while I am working on the boat, be a BIG help, thanks again!

Rdoactive: Apart from the hinge puller are there any other special tools I will need? I have a pretty good selection of automotive hand tools, a compresser and most air tools, but, if there is anything else I need I would appreciate you letting me know, also, what size are those "big ugly nuts" in the side of the Gimble? they look like allen head but are HUGE!

Thanks again guys, I owe you both a few beers if we are ever at a run together!

Michael