So is this seal not something that usually get's changed out with the gimbal bearing replacement? Anyone? Why wouldn't a guy want to replace it?

had a GB replaced last season,,and they didnt change that seal either,,dont know why ???

There is no "seal" just the bearing and the carrier.

He's talking about the shaft seal that's just beyond the bearing. Can only speak for myself and the reason I didn't change it was it seemed perfectly fine, no wear, still pliable, etc. Seems it's only there to help keep the grease from entering the inside of the boat.

would that seal stop water from coming into the boat if the bellows were to go?

The seal isn't there to keep grease out of the boat. There would need to be a ton of grease in there before it got that far. I believe it is there to keep any water inside the boat from getting to the gimbal, but if the bellows went bad it would help keep the water from entering the boat by slowing it down. Either way if you get water in the bearing it won't last very long. I have change them before, but not everytime. If it looks good and is pliable, just change the bearing.

Sounds reasonable. Thanks

Well i've decided to purchase the tools from Whoya, and get the Sierra bearing. I'll be tackling this job as soon as I get the parts. Is the grease port on the bearing and grease port in the housing obvious to see to align back up upon installation?

Thanks.
Ryan

Not to hijack this thread but I'm doing the same job. I want to replace the bellows while I'm doing the GB. Should I buy a Sierra part for that as well? Anybody have a part#? Also, should I be replacing the water inlet hose too? I recently put a new shift cable and bellows in so I'm not doing that. Thanks

Cloudmaster 321 I usually mark the lube hole in the bearing with a marker & line it up with the hole in the housing which is about 4 or5 oclock position & pound it in. Brwn 234 I don't have a part # but I know you can get a complete kit from sierra that includes water inlet hose, ujoint bellows, exhaust bellows. shift bellows. & bearing. You can get it from any auto parts store that has a sierra book. Randy The part # for a complete kit is 18-2212 I think