Most economic way to replace gimbal ring?
 

I’ve heard that replacing the assembly is the best way rather than replacing the gimbal ring. I’ve heard about repair kits being sold online as well. I don’t plan on doing my own work, this looks too involved for someone with limited skills and tools. I’m 99% sure the gimbal ring needs to be replaced. The side to side slop measures 3.5” at 7.72 degrees. This causes the boat to handle absolutely terrible at no wake docking speeds and to ride on it’s side (driver side up, passenger side down) at top speeds. So, what’s the most economical way to fix an expensive fix?

Depending on what is worn, look up Jr marine. They recondition gimble rings and sell all the parts to rebuild. I bought from him a few years back and it was a very positive experience.

I have made the mistake (multiple times) of repairing/rebuilding various issues on my transom assemblies in the past.

Just buy new. If you look hard you'll find a fully assembled brand new HD TA for 2-2500. Otherwise you'll spend 1500 bucks rebuilding one - bellows, bearing, powder coat, new pin, might as well rebuild the trim cylinders while you have it apart, you'll likely break the stupid plastic fitting, probably should put in a new lower shift cable, is your water tube clear or starting to corrode? If the latter is a new molded hose and inserts, yada, yada, yada.

Just my .02

John at The Bravo Shop just posted a fully rebuilt complete transom assembly for sale on FB for 2k

agreed. The cost of individual parts adds up fast. It especially doesn’t make sense if you have to pay for labor on top of it…

if you're paying labor, replace the assembly. but that also means pulling the engine. if you do it yourself, like I did, I went the JR Marine route.

I rebuilt my transom assemblies on Alpha one gen 1. I kind of wanted to do it, so I decided to fix, not replace. It took time and I needed to borrow a small hydraulic press and a torch, rest is just random wrenching. I think the biggest issue for me was that I broke two transom bolts when removing, and had to get them out somehow. Also the lower pin was so-so stuck.
But with the gimbal, I just welded a layer on the pin so it would be a bit larger so the ring would be snug again. I presume it will last some years.

I've got a used pair of bravo transom assemblies with zero hours on new HP gimbal rings and bearings if interested in buying.