Drilling out a Stuck Gimbal Bearing
05-31-2014 | 07:37 AM
#12
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It's out. Smokin's description was the key. Ground two slots opposite one another on the outer case, which allowed the inner bearing to be removed. Then, grind / chisel the outer case until it let go. Here's to hoping I never have to do that again!
Speaking of which…I'm liking the idea of installing the new bearing with the slots facing toward the drive instead of toward the bow. I realize the manual says proper procedure is to put it in with the slots facing forward, but after this whole experience I'm really questioning WHY they need to face forward. Can anyone think of any possible difference it would make? There's clearly a lot of anecdotal evidence that putting it in "backwards" works just fine.
Anyway, enormous thanks to all, especially smokin gun. Gotta' love guys sharing their experience and helping each other out.
Speaking of which…I'm liking the idea of installing the new bearing with the slots facing toward the drive instead of toward the bow. I realize the manual says proper procedure is to put it in with the slots facing forward, but after this whole experience I'm really questioning WHY they need to face forward. Can anyone think of any possible difference it would make? There's clearly a lot of anecdotal evidence that putting it in "backwards" works just fine.
Anyway, enormous thanks to all, especially smokin gun. Gotta' love guys sharing their experience and helping each other out.
05-31-2014 | 07:45 AM
#13
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,194
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From: hampstead nh
i have never put one in the correct way ..when i first started working in the marina and older gentelman told me tp put it in backwards and if you
ever have a problem it with be easy to remove ..also i never use the merc bearing anymore as it cant be greased .i only use the sierra brgs still greasable and if water ever gets in there you can simply grease it and push the water out ..good luck
ever have a problem it with be easy to remove ..also i never use the merc bearing anymore as it cant be greased .i only use the sierra brgs still greasable and if water ever gets in there you can simply grease it and push the water out ..good luck
05-31-2014 | 07:53 AM
#14
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,122
Likes: 967
From: Seaford, VA
i have never put one in the correct way ..when i first started working in the marina and older gentelman told me tp put it in backwards and if you
ever have a problem it with be easy to remove ..also i never use the merc bearing anymore as it cant be greased .i only use the sierra brgs still greasable and if water ever gets in there you can simply grease it and push the water out ..good luck
ever have a problem it with be easy to remove ..also i never use the merc bearing anymore as it cant be greased .i only use the sierra brgs still greasable and if water ever gets in there you can simply grease it and push the water out ..good luck
Mine are in backwards. No issues for 5 years.
08-04-2020 | 01:28 AM
#17
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Joined: Aug 2020
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From: Overseas Island
Stuck Gimbal Bearing
Hello all. Long time lurker….first time poster. Hoping somebody here can lend a hand.
I'm doing a gimbal ring swap on a 2003 Bravo Three. All has been going very well up to this point. (BIG shout out to Ron Bender at JR Marine for putting together a great solution to a worn gimbal ring!) As part of the project, I decided to change out the bellows and gimbal bearing while everything is apart and accessible.
I CANNOT get the gimbal bearing to budge in the least little bit. I tried first with a three-jaw puller and a 5# slide hammer. Nothing. Alright…I'm a resourceful guy…I just switched to an axle bearing puller with a threaded rod / nut type setup to jack it out. Still nothing. I've been trying everything I can think of for three days…..add some penetrating oil….try a little heat….crank on the screw puller like King Kong hopped up on a case of Monster Energy drink. This thing will not give it up.
I found a post on here about drilling a series of holes in the outer carrier to loosen it up. Anybody able to walk me through that a little bit?
How deep do I drill the holes? Try to go all the way through, and I'm into the gimbal housing which seems like a bad plan.
Am I trying to drill as close to the junction of the carrier and the gimbal housing as I can, or just drilling more toward the middle of the aluminum ring?
Once drilled, do I need to try to chisel the ring to crack it or break it up somewhat?
Any other thoughts?
I'll take it to the dealer if need be, but I'm having a hard time figuring out why this thing is so stuck. I should be able to do this.
Thanks for ANY help.
Spidey
I'm doing a gimbal ring swap on a 2003 Bravo Three. All has been going very well up to this point. (BIG shout out to Ron Bender at JR Marine for putting together a great solution to a worn gimbal ring!) As part of the project, I decided to change out the bellows and gimbal bearing while everything is apart and accessible.
I CANNOT get the gimbal bearing to budge in the least little bit. I tried first with a three-jaw puller and a 5# slide hammer. Nothing. Alright…I'm a resourceful guy…I just switched to an axle bearing puller with a threaded rod / nut type setup to jack it out. Still nothing. I've been trying everything I can think of for three days…..add some penetrating oil….try a little heat….crank on the screw puller like King Kong hopped up on a case of Monster Energy drink. This thing will not give it up.
I found a post on here about drilling a series of holes in the outer carrier to loosen it up. Anybody able to walk me through that a little bit?
How deep do I drill the holes? Try to go all the way through, and I'm into the gimbal housing which seems like a bad plan.
Am I trying to drill as close to the junction of the carrier and the gimbal housing as I can, or just drilling more toward the middle of the aluminum ring?
Once drilled, do I need to try to chisel the ring to crack it or break it up somewhat?
Any other thoughts?
I'll take it to the dealer if need be, but I'm having a hard time figuring out why this thing is so stuck. I should be able to do this.
Thanks for ANY help.
Spidey
August 2020: I had a stuck gimbal bearing on my 2005 Volvo Penta SX-M, DP-SM (too bad I cannot attach a picture) and after numerous attempts to take it out with the screw tight pully, I heated the outside left side and bottom of the bearing housing (away from the hydraulic hoses) for just a few minutes and then tighten the screw pully and it popped right out. For those suggesting to screw the bearing and/or buying a new housing I suggest the heating method first. It only took a minute or two of heating while pulling it out to work. Inexpensive and quick fix for stuck gimbal bearings.
Good luck boaters
