Originally Posted by alorio1

Well the local boat mechanic said it would take a week just to get to the tearing into the outdrive and the cost would be $450 to 500 bucks to replace Gimbel brg.
So, I went to the local marine parts store and purchased the bearing, gasket set, a MERCRUISER STERN DRIVE SHOP MANUAL and a tube of aqua-lube grease , which they recomended to use for the u-joints.
On the way home I stopped by my local Auto Zone and rented a Three prong hammer knocker bearing puller, which they refund all your money when you return their tools, studied the Mercruiser manual for about thirty minutes then tore into the outdrive.
You guys were right on the money with the Gimbel brg. being the culprit.......Installed the new brg.(aligned the grease passage hole to match hole in brg housing grease port)inspected both u-joints no problem here, so they got the lube job they needed and back in with the outdrive.
Total time spent with the actual repair was about three hours.......total cost for parts and repair manual was about $100 bucks.
All suggestions came in handy such as putting the shift in forward before removing outdrive aligning lever ect.ect.
Some say it doesn't matter if the gimble brg. grease port is not matched up with the brg. housing port but I am a firm believer that is not the right way to install the brg.......The old brg. I removed was dry from lack of grease and the grease port holes were not matched.There was a lot of grease on the engine side of the brg. as if when it was greased the grease found another route to take other than the intended brg. internals.
Checked boat out today......no more noisy outdrive problems.


Thanks to all for suggestions and replies, not to mention the experience I gained and the savings ............Joe

Originally Posted by outdrive man

400-500, thats highway f-ck`n robbery. i do this for a living we charge 75 for the drive service with gaer lube and 75 to chang gimbal bearing. trust me were not hurting

Originally Posted by birdog

Your shop just replaced a coupler on a very good friends boat.
He was very happy with the work & the "care" you took of his boat.....Good for you !