Imco H.D. Gimbal Ring
 

Now that I will be making a fair amount of horsepower, do you think it is necessary to replace the stock Merc. gimbal ring to Imcos' H.D. unit? I would think it would be a good investment. I never changed one before. It doesn't look too difficult. But what about any special tools needed??

Re: Imco H.D. Gimbal Ring
 

If you are in the 800hp+ range, then I think that it's worth it. I've never changed one, but I saw it done and it looked like a serious pita.

Re: Imco H.D. Gimbal Ring
 

not as easy as it look's. and it's only really necessary if you plan on running hard offshore. also if you have a 2000 or up gimbel it has 4 bolt's holding the gimbel helmet pin in place, its pretty tough.

Re: Imco H.D. Gimbal Ring
 

Monsta,
Bo is this you??

My boat is a '99.

Re: Imco H.D. Gimbal Ring
 

Just for the record... It is spelled Gimbal..

Re: Imco H.D. Gimbal Ring
 

I'm actually looking for a good used gimbal ring if anyone may happen to have one........the gimbal assembly i bought had a cracked gimbal ring in 3 places!!!! i think the U-bolt was the only thing holding it together!!!

Re: Imco H.D. Gimbal Ring
 

Vinny,

Until you add a blower, your stock gimbal will be just fine. That is, if it's in good shape. I started with the mercury HP gimbal, but that was at 800+HP, and your not there yet.

Get that thing in the water there's still time to test.

Re: Imco H.D. Gimbal Ring
 

Wally,
i have a good used HP gimble ring ..if you are interested..

Don
[email protected]

Re: Imco H.D. Gimbal Ring
 

i know, my spelling when typing is horrible. second time i've been corrected. yes it's me. also, wally i have 2 used gimbal's and one of them has been revamped. it also has a brand new hp gimbal ring, and gimbal pins.

Re: Imco H.D. Gimbal Ring
 

ohhhh,, number is 516-799-6029. hi vin!

Re: Imco H.D. Gimbal Ring
 

Hey Bo,

Good to see you join the board . This place can always use another experienced person like yourself.

Re: Imco H.D. Gimbal Ring
 

hey vin, how are ya. thankx , appreciate the positive comment. don't sweat the gimbal ring too much. like i said , unless you plan on running hard in the rough, with some serious side load on the drive/ gimbal, you'll be fine however if you need a new hp ring or gimbal i have both call me..

Re: Imco H.D. Gimbal Ring
 

Thanks Bo. Maybe I will take everyones advice and let it go for now.

Re: Imco H.D. Gimbal Ring
 

Sorry for hijack'in your thread, but this thread caught my eye.

I have a bad gimbal to steering bushing on a 1997 Baja, the top one the u-bolt tightens.
Has anyone here replaced one, and what needs to be done? Can the bushing alone be replaced?

checkmate454mag originally asked about special tools do you need any for this job?

Re: Imco H.D. Gimbal Ring
 

I assume you have external steering when asking this question. You guys sound a little mislead on the gimbal ring. Hp numbers have nothing to do with how strong your gimbal ring needs to be. It is the speed of the boat , nose cone or not, to much tow in or out on a twin set up, water conditions and how hard you run it, etc that is the issue. If you have good helm hydraulic steering and all of the other things check out, the merc hp gimbal should be fine.

Re: Imco H.D. Gimbal Ring
 

I have seen the standard gimbal hold up to a lot, but then I have broken one at speed. Not a fun deal at all. I replaced the standard with an HP unit. There is a kit. If you do run the standard one, make sure you keep and eye on the hinge pins. They have a tendancy to back out and make a mess of the threads.
Vinny, if yours it tight and you dont want to spend the money now, then you could be ok. But if you have the motor out and the drive off, now is the time to switch to the HP gimbal, just for piece of mind, in my opinion. If you dont, then make sure you check all the bushings, etc. top, bottom and sides..

Dick