Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

spring is nearing and so is the dreaded job of trying to repair my bravo one gimbal ring.
i have been reading in these forums for a few weeks now.
i am probably going try and have my gimbal ring repaired by jr marine instead of spending 700 bucks for a new one.
has anyone had their gimbal ring repaired by jr marine?
does it hold up well? or will i be doing it again sooner than i like.
also the swivel shaft cover plate kit jr marine sells is this a good kit,how well does it hold up?
i am also going to buy his stainless swivel shaft.

i do not race my boat or push it to extreme limits i baby it.

the reason i am asking for some extra insight is that the boat is kept in the water for the summer months
in michigan,lake st. clair.

any insight from some people who have used the above mentioned procedure on a sick bravo one gimbal ring would be appreciated greatly.

I have not used jr marine but had a gimball repaired once. It lasted about 20 minutes.

If you are going to have it repaired, send it to Ron Bender, "Wild Thing" here on the board. He can repair it better than new and he also sells a very cool stainless swivel pin for it.

After you fix it, you might want to add external steering. Bravo rings losen up alot, even on low hp and moderate use. If you use it hard anyone here will tell you to add external. Your saftey at high speeds would be in question if not added.

Just finished up a buddies boat this weekend. The gimbal ring was reworked by JR and we had to send it back once but they stood behind their work and returned it quickly and in great shape:D
It's a job, but much less work than pulling the engine in some cases.
Won't know how it holds up til summer.
Dave

sent it back for what?

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

NordicHeat how long did it last before JR had to re-do it for you? I'm going to watch ebay for a new one in the coming months but I'm not looking forward to this repair!

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

Wowchad,
It was a machining issue that was found prior to re-install so it is on it's first repair and appears to be working flawlessly.
Dave

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

I am rebuilding a spare one and will send it to Ron Bender for welding and machining. I remember a few years ago, in Powerboat, someone has a tool to remove the top nut that is a wrench with a weird angle on the handle and once its inserted in the drilled hole, you turn the steering to loosen and reverse to tighten the nut. Sure looks a lot more sane than Fred Flinstone with a hammer and a chisel.

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

Yep! He did mine and it was great. 100% satisfied - And, he always answers when you call. Quick, good work! Thanks, Ron!

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

WELL IM TO HEAR IM DOING SOMETHING THAT WORKS, AND SAVES MONEY. THE ONLY REASON WE REWORKED A RETURNED RING IS THAT THE FINISH CUT WAS DONE WITH THE RUFFING TOOL BY MISTAKE AND DIDN'T LOOK GOOD. THE RING WAS TO SIZE AND WOULD HAVE WORKED FINE.( IT WAS JUST A LITTLE RUFF FINISH ON ONE FLAT) I AM THE OWNER OF JR MARINE AND [B]WILL NOT HAVE A DISAPPOINTED CUSTOMER!! THAT'S WHY WE REWORKED HIS RING WITH NO PROBLEMS. A GIMBEL RING REWORKED WILL LAST JUST AS LONG AS A NEW ONE!! HEAVY BOATS WILL STRETCH THE U BOLT AND IF YOU DON'T KEEP THEM AT A 53 LB TORQUE IT WILL SLOP OUT QUICK. OUR STAINLESS SWIVEL SHAFTS ARE THE CATS ASS COMPARED TO OEM. AND SWIVEL SHAFT COVER PLATS WORK VERY WELL. CALL ME AT 216-390-1330 ANY TIME AND I CAN HELP YOU MAKE YOUR GIMBEL HOUSINGS LIVE LONGER WITH TRICKS I HAVE DONE AND THEY WORK. OR CHECK OUT MY WEB SITE AT WWW.JRMARINE.COM
RON BENDER

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

I'm still trying to figure out this repair.
Either way the first thing you need to do is pull the drive and either drill two 1-1/8" holes into the gimbal housing or cut a rather large hole in the back of it?!?

I understand Ron's plate is in a thinner area so it should be stronger, but which way is easier to work wrenches through?
Do I understand Ron is willing to lend some specifically bend/ground wrenches to make the job easier?
Do you advise replacing the now stretched u-bolt that tightens around the swivel shaft?

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

These guys are in Shelby Township, Michigan and do the same thing. MERCSTUFF


They claim: On a brand new MerCruiser gimbal ring they put a very large hole thru the top of the new ring so they don't have to remove as much material when they push their square broach thru the hole.
After welding, we machine the 4 flats in the top and counter bore the underside to perfectly fit the rebuilt swivel shaft which was also welded up and machined.
Notice your now clamping on the entire surface and not just the 4 corners.

I wonder about the falts shown here vs. the stock merc bore:

STOCK
http://www.mercstuff.com/images/gimbalkit2.jpg


REDONE MERCSTUFF
http://www.mercstuff.com/images/gimbalkit3.jpg

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

I don't mean to jump in on your thread, but I have a question on the same subject. I have the engine out right now. Would it be just as easy to remove the entire assembly instead of drilling holes?

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

Do it Ron's way............

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

Or the "Frankenstien" Way!!!

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

You make the choice :D WWW.JRMARINE.COM

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

IT'S MUCH EASIER MY WAY VS. THE SIDE HOLES. PROB. ABOUT 5 HRS QUICKER AND LESS SCREAMING & SWEARING. YOU WILL BE WORKING THRU 2 1 INCH SIDE HOLES WITH A HAMMER & A PUNCH THE OEM WAY OR WITH A SET OF WRENCHES MY WAY. ONCE YOU DO ONE TIME AVERAGE FOR TO REMOVE RING & REPLACE IS LESS THAN 1 HOUR. THE FIRST ONE ALWAYS TAKES A LITTLE LONGER TILL YOU SEE WHATS GOING ON. MY WEB SITE SHOWS YOU PHOTOS AND EACH STEP IN ORDER HOW TO DO IT. WE ALSO CARRY ALL THE OTHER OEM PARTS YOU WILL NEED TO FINISH THE JOB.ALWAYS REPLACE THE U BOLT WITH A NEW ONE!! THEY STRETCH AND BECOME WEAK. NO MORE THAN 53 FT POUNDS OF TORQUE OR THEY WILL STRETCH!! WE HAVE TRIED MAKING U BOLTS FROM OTHER MATERIAL THAT WOULD BE STRONGER BUT HAVE HAD NO SUCCESS. EVERY ONE BROKE AFTER A SHORT TIME IN USE. IF IT WORKS ON MY BOAT FOR A YEAR IT WILL WORK ON ANYONES BOAT. MOST OF YOU KNOW HOW I RUN WILDTHING. THAT'S HOW WE TEST!!! THE WILDTHING TEST :p :p

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

If you have the engine out, I would suggest removing the gimbal housing. Just make sure you loosen the bell housing socket head bolts first. The lower swivel shaft is also easier while the housing is still on the boat. I have first hand experience doing the job on and off the boat.
FYI- Don't forget the up and down play on the gimbal ring is set with the top nut on the upper swivel shaft.

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

I'm pretty much sold on your plate, now what about your gimble repair.... Does your repair turn out like the OEM one or like the MERCSTUFF photo? Seems to me the more material the better.

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

I want to fix this the easiest way possible, I don't want to pull my engine or even lift it. I'm hoping I don't even need to re-align it!

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

I Agree When Motor Is Out Why Drill Or Cut Holes. You Can Work With It On The Bench. It's A Little Harder To Feel The Up & Down Play I Set Them Up A On The Low Side. Oem Sec Is .002-.010 You Really Need To Hold This Spec So Your Working Unit Will Last Longer. And Also Oem Recommends To Retorque U Bolt 2 Times A Year. This Is Why Most Rings Slop Out. The U Bolt Loses Torque And Ring Will Slop Out. Rb

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

If You Don't Pull Motor My Way Is The Way To Go.
Ron Bender

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

Ron before I call you, can you email or fax your cuttout template so I can remove my gimbal ring, send it to you and have you send me a rebuilt ring and the plate kit?

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

Chad Your Plate & Tools Shipped On Thursday. You Should Have No Later Than Monday. Call Me If You Need Any Help. Ron Bender :) :)

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

Having done it both ways, If you have the engine out already, Id pull the transom assembly off and do it the easy way.

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

Hes not kidding either. Ive seen him run and Ive seen him break things. If it holds up on his boat, its good stuff.

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

Is the tiller arm alum. also? How often do they go bad.

What is the benifit of a stainless pin and how do I know if mines bad?

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

Guys,,, Guys ,,, Stop making this project hard,, Just do it!! JR Marine aka Ron Bender has this problem solved... He did my Apache 2yrs ago and it is still working fine (about 200hrs) now ,, I had one U bolt break when we tried to tighten it to much,, its better to stay with the 53lbs tourqe spec and check it a couple of time each month... The bolt was easy to replace with the Plate and cutout work already done... I have no complaints whatsoever

RHC

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

I received my parts from Ron today, thanks for the fast service Ron!

I'll try and post picts as I go along. I only have one or two Saturdays a month to make this repair so be patient with me, I'll get to it shortly.

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

Ron, I have my ring boxed up, please send info on payment etc.
Or call my cell 609 238 2502. I also snapped off two of the grounding bolts, can you drill them out and install a helicoil, or weld and tap? Let me know additional cost. I will also need to know what is the best way to set up and down play, .002 - .010 and how much is best. Guess I just need to talk with you.

Thanks
Shawn

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

I just found out my gimbal rings are worn. I'm going to try and pick them up this weekend and send out for repair. The motors are out so the time is right.

Ron, I saw your boat, Wild Thing, at Key West last week. Was that you or the new owner? I thought you just got an OL.

Roger

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

Wowchad, I live in Milwaukee and re-did both of my gimbals, I sent you an e-mail, if your looking for suggestions or answers. Jim

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

ANy idea on how to get the lower PIN, Lower Swivel out, I brike the cotter pin btw too. transom off boat now.
Going to have gimbal repaired..if i can get the pin out. Just hammer out?

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

ahh, a little heat and popped out...

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

Give Me A Call On My Cell I Have A Couple Of Ways To Remove It. Ron Bender 216-390-1330

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

JR Marine ROCKS!

I did mine the old fashioned way last winter, the way Merc explains it in their shop manual, and before I knew about JR's method. Funny thing, I had my gimbal redone by him, but didn't realize he suggested a different method.... cutting into the back of the gimble instead of holes.

I also bought some inexpensive wrenches and grinded them and heated/bent them like crazy so they would work through the holes. JR Marine's way would have been so much simplier! He will also rent you his wrenches for a small fee.

Anyway, my gimble has held up perfectly! And I even sent him my center pin, he checked it and said it was fine, so I reused it. Cool and trust worthly guy!

I also bought his stainless steel U-Bolt. Basically the reason a gimble fails is because the stock medal bolt will streatch, then the damage begins.

A word of caution, when tighting the new stainless U-bolt, do it one flat at a time! Stainless, doesn't tolerate stretching and could break, but once torqued, it will not stretch and the gimble will last a long time.

I checked the torque on mine three times this season and it was still perfect. I have some special tools that I bought for the job. I'd be happy to lend them to someone if you need them (AND RETURN THEM! LOL).

Good luck,

Tom

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

I did mine (sorry no pics - except avitar)

I have nothing but good things to say about this experience!

Thank you for everything Ron

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

Some guy is selling full stainless steel gimbal rings on ebay for $600.

Hill Marine, anyone ever hear of them? They claim it's only 8# more weight???

Re: Bravo Gimbal Ring Repair
 

I am having mine done as we speak, my mechanic is pulling the motor and transom assy off, he talked me out of drilling the holes and installing the cover plate. I dont think he wanted to do it.

I ordered a new SS upper shaft from Chad Hill on ebay, he hasnt even sent me an acknowledgement saying he got the payment, this was from a 11/14 order.

Ron, I will give you a call, I want to send my ring to you for repair, I should have got the upper shaft from you also.