WILDTHING TAZ

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

Keith

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.

Hot Boat

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???

US1 Fountain

iTrader: (1)

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

Hot Boat

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.

Keith

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.

RHC

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!!!

RHC

vonwolske

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.

US1 Fountain

iTrader: (1)

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

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

vonwolske

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.