More U Bolt Tests This May Be It!!!!
 

I Think I Got The Better U-bolt & Nut. We Will Know When The Final Tests Come Back From The Lab. I Built A Bending Fixture This Week To Make The U-bolt. We Are About 90% There. The Monell Nuts Came In. We Torqued One Down On A Grade 8 Bolt And It Went To 65 Foot Lbs And Then The Bolt Shattered In Half. We Sent In 316 Stainless & 17-4 Bolts We Will See. Keep You Informed As I Know. Ron Bender

Re: More U Bolt Tests This May Be It!!!!
 

Very timely Ron, I have a stripped nut on a u-bolt. How difficult is it to replace the u-bolt? I don't believe there's any problem with the gimbal ring or shaft, at least not yet.

Re: More U Bolt Tests This May Be It!!!!
 

Keith I have the same problem. To remove the u bolt you have to remove the gambol ring its self. In order to remove the ring you either have to remove the engine or purchase a kit to do it with out removing the engine. If you decide not to remove the engine do not buy the mercury kit to remove the ring. There is a better kit out there. PM me if you want more info. I have to find it.

Taz I am very interested. I want to reinstall my ring when I get a new bell housing. How long before you are finished and ready for sale???

Re: More U Bolt Tests This May Be It!!!!
 

What's failing, the U-bolt or the nut?

Re: More U Bolt Tests This May Be It!!!!
 

I went to tork mine and I just snaped the bolt. I welded what bolt was sticking out to the plate behind the nut and tightend the other nut tightly. This got me buy for the rest of the season.

Re: More U Bolt Tests This May Be It!!!!
 

My gimbals are only 2 years old. The u-bolt thread and nut is what failed, the thread on 1 side of the u-bolt is stripped. The new gimbals have the hole(s) and plugs already, this was done when the HP Gimbals were installed so we'd have access to the ring.

So I cannot simply drive the u-bolt out and replace it?

It looks like I "should" or could be able to do this without pulling the entire assembly because I can turn the drive to one side and get my hand up inside behind the u-bolt.

Re: More U Bolt Tests This May Be It!!!!
 

No, No ,, and No ,,,, Taz is the Guy to talk to about replacing the U bolt,,,, He has a system to take off the Gimble Ring from the Out side and not have to Pull the Engine ,, I did mine three years ago and it has held up fine ,,, I wish the better bolts available at that time .... call him at 216-390-1330,,, I think he wants to be the outdrive King!!! :D :D

RHC

Re: More U Bolt Tests This May Be It!!!!
 

I don't have a drive like this, but is there an exploded view or diagram of the parts you are talking about.
I am always interested in a "better mousetrap". Thanks.

Re: More U Bolt Tests This May Be It!!!!
 

Item #24 is the u-bolt. Your everyday standard Bravo

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show_...STEERING+LEVER

Re: More U Bolt Tests This May Be It!!!!
 

Thanks US1 Fountain;

I see the gimbal ring is split at the U-bolt. So the U-bolt acts as a pinch bolt on the split. Does the U portion of the bolt pull directly on the pivot stud or does it just pull on a portion of the cast aluminum of the gimbal. If so, couldn't a person just use a pair of high strength straight bolts to pinch that joint shut, or would the casting break due to excessive bending stresses?

Thanks.

Re: More U Bolt Tests This May Be It!!!!
 

Not sure, but I think it tightens the joint. Otherwise only 1/2 of the gimble ring's thickness at the top is of use.
Your bolt idea sounds to easy and reasonable, so must be more to it than I see too.

Re: More U Bolt Tests This May Be It!!!!
 

To US1 Fountain;

Yes, good point on only half of the upper gimbal being used if the U-bolt acted as a guillotine, or more appropriately a garotte, on only the vertical shaft.
Sometimes, I don't know why designers do what they do. Certainly the strap at the nut ends of the U-bolt could have been duplicated at the loop end of the U-bolt, and thus use through bolts rather than a U-bolt. Maybe there is a lack of clearance at the closed end. Does anybody have an explanation?

Re: More U Bolt Tests This May Be It!!!!
 

No You Can Not Use A Bolt!! The Back Of The Ring Is Casted For The Radius Of The U-bolt. There Is No Room To Use A Bolt. The U-bolt Radius Pulls Evenly And Is Not A Bad Hold. As Long As It Doesn't Stretch Or The Nut Strip Off. Which Only Is A Problem On Bigger Boats. Or Boats With Bigger Hp. I Have The New U-bolts Finished. I Will Post A New Thread. Ron Bender

Re: More U Bolt Tests This May Be It!!!!
 

Taz;
I kind of thought there must be a cast radius to accomodate the U-bolt. Thanks.

I would still think they could have had a cross strap on the back side, just like on the front side, or vice versa.

Glad you came up with a better bolt.
What is it made of, Unobtanium?

Re: More U Bolt Tests This May Be It!!!!
 

[QUOTE=vonwolske]What is it made of, Unobtanium?/QUOTE]

"Unobtanium".............. Ha, thats good. I'm gonna borrow that one if you don't mind. :D

Re: More U Bolt Tests This May Be It!!!!
 

Thirdbird;
I can't claim credit for coining the word, but I use it often and if the person doesn't know much about hardware, e.g., girls, they think you are really smart.
Feel free to use it.