Either way, Bessy is getting a pair of new IMCO rings and helmets for 2012.

Sorry to steal the thread..

LE

My thought was if it was an XR and a tooth came off, the pinion gear sometimes shears off the front of the XR case.. Then a chain reaction. But you are right, the sheared edge probably tells the story.

Just wondering if the screws broke, pin backed out, and put too much side load on the helmet and this happened. You know the deal, $.16 part causes $8K damage.
Are there marks on the inside edge of the pin from the U joint or something "blasting" them out? Later gimbal rings have 4 screws.
Are the gears broken?

The gears are all intact, except for the clutch collar spinning loose on the one gear. The boats in storage, I'll investigate the ring better when I put it back together in the Spring. I have'nt looked at the drive since Oct. I have them at home though and I'm going to start to go thru both of them very soon.

If the screws were backing out, they probably would of fell out and not broke the heads off. It was either the helmet then the u-joints, or the u-j then the helmet. Either way, water under the bridge now.

LE