Gimble Bearing Replacement
 

Put boat in water last weekend for season opener. Engaged port drive and it didn't sound right. Out of gear fine.

Luckily still warrantied so off to Lake Cumberland Marine. They replaced the port gimble and inspected starboard.

New last year, 56 hrs, Bravo XR's attached to 500efi's, inward rotation.

Is this a fluke / known probelm? / alignment? / am I missing something in my service/care

Any input greatly appreciated.

Re: Gimble Bearing Replacement
 

Summer Heat...

Sounds more like an alignment problem.
Anytime the drives are removed this should be checked.
How are your motor mounts ?? Anything loose or does it look like movement took place? Always check the obvious first.
Saves time and money...

Sheikman

Re: Gimble Bearing Replacement
 

could be an alighnment problem, or possibly excess water in the bilge seeped thru the transom plate shaft seal, sat in the boot over winter, then bad bearing. this is very common. we replace them every year regardless. cheap insurance. drive should come off to lube joints in the least every year anyway.

Re: Gimble Bearing Replacement
 

Something dont sound right. If the gimble bearing was bad you would hear it at all times while the engine was running. The input shaft turns the whole time the engine is running, the vertical shaft down only turns when in gear. I would think that if it was a bad gimble bearing, you would hear it all the time while turning the wheel back from one side to the other.

Just my.02.

Re: Gimble Bearing Replacement
 

Well If There Repair Fixed The Problem. I Wouldn't Doubt Them On What Was Wrong. Im Sure They Real Aligned The Motor To The Bearing When They Fixed It. It Cost You No Money So Run It And See If It Happens Again.

Re: Gimble Bearing Replacement
 

Thanks for all the information. Wasn't doubting there diagnosis, just wanted to make sure I was not missing any maint. between there service intervals.

LCM had tank tested with no results, so I had them launch. Under load you would hear the problem (only while in gear)

The pulled both drives, check alignment, replaced port gimble and inspected sb.

Took her out this weekend and sounds great.