Yep use the Sierra part #18-2100

Buy a valvo penta bearing its same as merc but there still using grease fitting. both companies are buying from the same supplier.

Absolutely put it in backwards then next time it is a 2 minute job after you get the drive off and no puller needed.

It doesn't cause a problem? Which was is backwards? The dots facing the motor?

wont cause any problem .ive put tons of them in backwards .when you put it in you will see the 2 big cutouts looking at you .if it ever goes bad again simply knock the gimble brng with a screwdriver at an angle and it will pull out thru those notches

I replaced the gimble bearings on my Kachina when I replaced the engines just because they are not serviceable. Better to be safe than sorry, However I bought a puller from amazon.com that made the job about 10 min per side with drives off. I cant believe I used a slide hammer as long as I did. Best 150.00 I ever spent on a boat tool. Randy

flip bearing sideways and pull out the cut-outs. just check where the grease slot is and put bearing back in with grease hole lined up with the slot. otherwise you have a new style merc (read that non-greasable) bearing. grease slot in cage is off center...

You are really putting the carrier in backwards so the bearing can be remove from the carrier far more easily next time. You don't need tochange the carrier,just the bearing.

I'm interested in trying this job myself vs taking it to the marine shop. I'm fine with buying a tool to get the bad bearing out. What tool is required, and what's the trick to getting the original bearing out?

Also, I thought this was interesting when i did a search for the Sierra p/n.........

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...2258&ppt=C1980

Same one, or not?

Cloudmaster 321 The puller I got from Amazon.com was 165.00 gimble bearing puller. the bearing you looked up is the right one & on the other side of the bearing you will see the cut outs everyone is talking about. If you install the bearing "backwards" like everyone is saying you will never need the puller again. I have had the privilege of working on some seriously unmaintained junk so that is why I bought one. BTW they also sell an installer & alignment bar very reasonable.