Replacing gimbal ring on alpha one. Any special tools????
 

I have a 94 29ft scarab with twin 350 and alpha one gen 2 and i have to replace one of my gimbal rings. I ordered the jr marine kit, and the gimbal ring, and gimbal bearing and bellows and such. i just need to know do i need any special tools?? like alignment tools?? ect

Anytime you're removing the drive, checking alignment should be part of the routine. The Mercruiser tools can be expensive, but check e-bay for some made by others at a substancial savings.

This site has walked me through many procedures:

http://www.sterndrives.com/index.html

ok thanks, come on people you have to have more input and tips and tricks than this

Alignment tool and the bellows expander to get the exhaust bellows on. I couldn't imagine replacing mine w/o the expander. Rest was a walk in the park. I did both of mine 1 at a time, using the 1 as reference as far as hose clamp placement and such. Not a bad job, but then both of mine were NOS, never seen water. So no corrosion or such. Just age

gimbal ring has the steering pin on top. best to pull motor and pull gimball housing. i think it is possible in place, but requires drilling and plugging transom shield. there is a block-off plate for the thru-prop exhaust. replace it. i got my Nova originally because one rotted thru and boat sank at the dock. it is amazing how much one little float-test fail devalues a boat...

do i need the special tool for the tappered water line insert one the alpha one gen 2

Do you have Mercruiser service manual # 14?

Shift Cable Removal and Installation Tool 91-12037
Alignment Tool Assembly 91-805475A1
Hinge Pin Tool 91-78310
Sleeve Installation Tool 91-818169T (I've heard a coffey can will work but haven't tried it.):daz: Also buy and use quicksilver power tune from a mercury dealer, it will help a lot with both u joint and exhaust bellows install.
Make sure you get a new sleeve with your new bellows or you're going to want/need the tool to remove the old sleeve so you don't damage the old sleeve when you need to reinstall it.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread....ows+power+tune

There are some walk around procedures as far as some of the special tools go but having them do make this job easier. Depending on how far deep you go into this job you may want to look through service manual # 14 Section 4B - Service Procedures Requiring Major Disassembly of transom assembly first. (Can be found online)

Between OSO, iboats forums, google and youtube videos this procedure along with knowing what "walk around tools" you could use will give you a more confident feeling about do this job.

Good luck.

Also there is no special tool for the tapered water line insert on the alpha one gen 2, That is for a bravo style drive. The service manual tells you how to remove it.

Take it out and toss it. New ones are only a couple bucks from dealer. I buy extras so I have them when I need them.

Merc also makes a bellows adhesive to seal the driveshafe bellows.

I use the JR system dozens of times and it works great. They are also great to work with. Good luck with your project.

The Alpha Gen 2 use a white molded plastic water pipe that goes thur the assembly and is sealed by a rubber bushing, nothing like the Bravo.

The adhesive isn't so much for sealing, but to hold the bellows in place. (A lot of pull on those bellows when trimmed high) Mine where such that Merc just put a couple dabs on the bellows 180*. Stuff holds pretty good. Had to pry the old off.

Make sure you route all your wires and hoses exactly as original, and to not cut the new water hose shorter than supplied. Also orientate your hose camps in same manner to keep them from rubbing thru on any adjacent hoses during normal use. Take your time to do it right.
Also note the groove that the u-joint bellows fits in before the expander ring goes in. Soap/water on that bellows helps the ring slip right in. I just took a 2x4 and cut it round to use to install the ring. Nothing special there.

ok all great help and the more info the better haha. Next question is i worth spending 150 on a tool to remove gimbal bearing or are there other ways around that?