While my motor is out I am in the process of replacing the pins and bushings in my gimbal ring and housing. I have everything out except for the very top bushing in the housing behind the Mercruiser sticker. It seems impossible to remove this w/o some certain mercruiser tool. Any suggestions?????????????

Do a search on tiller arm, or tiller arm seal in Q&A. I've read posts with the process described.

Good luck, sounds like you are in deeeeep.

BT

There is a dimple on the right side top of the drive. the dimple is a locater for drilling a large hole for a socket to reach the tiller nut. This is described @ mercruiserparts.com I believe. If not do a search with Google.com to find it. You may also look at boatsUS for their maintenance section of "tips" . the hole must be plugged after replacement.

My question is: How did MERC EVER GET IT ON THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!! A clymers Bravo manual is also good.

Have fun!! I am going to fix mine also on the Sonic (I hope!).

If I read the original question correctly, you are interested in how to get the upper bushing out. Heres how I did it. I stuck a solid shaft in the upper bushing the same size as the hole and clamped it so I couldnt move and then I used my grease gun and pumped it to death and the grease pressure pushed the bushing out. Leave a little room on the top of the shaft so the shaft doesnt block off the grease hole. Im sure there is a tool to do this too, but the grease trick worked for me.

Hmmmm.good idea. Thanks, I'll give it a try.

Regards Bravo Gimble R&R

Call Ron Bender at J&R Marine in Cleveland ,,,, 216-390-1330 He has a complete rebuild process for the trans plate and Gimble Housings and Rings,,, neat stuff and 1/2 the price ... All C&C stainless chit ,,,, works good, I just did my Apache,
RC

CHEITMAN WE HAVE FIGURED THIS ONE OUT! I MADE A KIT WE CALL SWIVEL SHAFT COVER PLATE.ALSO WE MAKE A SWIVEL SHAFT THAT IS MADE OF 17-4 STAINLESS. CORROSION RESISTANT EQUAL TO 304 STAINLESS.OUR WEB SIGHT IS NOT FINISHED YET. SO IF YOU WANT I CAN MAIL SOMETHING TO YOU IF YOU WANT. GIVE ME A CALL 216-390-1330 RON BENDER

Formula 31's grease gun idea won't work on my drive, it does'nt have the zerk on top. This upper bushing is a real *****! After I spend a couple hours picking up all the tools I threw across the shop I will try my last resort of ideas. Has anyone tried to tap threads in the bushing, install a stud and use a nut to pull the son of a ***** out. How about splitting it in two with a small chisel and prying the 2 pieces out. I tried to grind and bend a punch to pry the entire piece out but there is not enough of a lip to grab on. I really don't want to cut the housing up.

I haven't tried this on your particular bushing, but the way you get a blind hole bushing out is as follows. Pack the ID solid with grease or soap. Using a shaft or pin that fits very snugly into the bushing, start the pin into the bushing. Once started, use a hammer and drive the pin to the bottom of the bushing. The grease will get behind the bushing and using hydraulic force, push the bushing out slick as ****.

Hope this helps,

BT

Thanks BT, thats the way to do it if it doenst have a zerk. When and why did Merc stop putting a grease zerk there?