Ok, I see now. It's not the bearing issue, it's the coupler. Which coupler does olemissalum have? I see he has a '99, so guessing the old style coupler? My '99's are both old stlye.
Guess that might be the 1st question.

What does the new design coupler do? Is the sleeve for locating or just for grease?
If it is indeed for locating, then the motor had better be dead nuts aligned up/down and side to side since you now have twice the length doing the locating.

I was told by a merc dealer that it makes for an easier access to the better located grease fitting:)

The bearing ID is 35mm or 1.380" The tool needs to be at least .002" smaller in dia. or it won't fit in the gimbal bearing. I'll bet that new coupler design contains the blue grease alot better than the old design. The blue grease spatter finish on the inside of the engine cover sucks!