does anybody know a technically proficient and trustworthy place in southern Alabama or the Panama City region of the panhandle that could take care of this for me.

I am too knew to I/Os to try and handle this.

Scott

is this a job I can do at home, and how many special tools will I need?

Scott

See the website below. Ron can weld and CNC the upper swivel pin area on your existing gimbal for $225 vs. $1,200 for new. He can also fix the pads that the outdrives rub on.

He has a stainless upper swivel pin which is a nice piece to use instead of the stock merc pin.

I just did both my gimbal rings using his kits. Ron Bender (number is on the web site) will go through the whole procedure step by step with you and will take any questions you have.

http://www.jrmarine.com/Default.htm