I'm still a little confused about something (well, OK a lot of things.)

When doing the swap from a standard Bravo 1 to an XR drive, in which direction should the new gimbal bearing be installed? With the notches in the bearing housing toward the drive or away from the drive?

I've seen it suggested both ways. What is best?

Thanks.

I have always heard it does not matter so lots of people put it notch toward the drive so you can twist the bearing out of it's carrier for replacement. That is the way I put them in now. The bearing does not care what direction it spins. I also dunno about the XR bearing but I can get my alpha/bravo/VP ones at local bearing house for like 20-25 bucks. (no carrier)

i have been doing notches out for years w/ no problems, turning em in is mercs way to keep you coming back for the expensive carrier deal that never even gets any wear! go to a local bearing guy for the bearing

Thanks.

when installing a gimble bearing for an xr drive the red dot on the outer housing MUST be facing out.if not you will have big problems

Alrighty then. Hence the reason for my confusion. I can fully understand that the bearing doesn't care in which direction it rotates. The only legitimate reason I can see for the orientation mattering would be due to clearence issues if the bearing is offset in the carrier (even a little).

So... can anyone clear this up?

Sterndrivespec,
What will these "big problems" be and what is their cause? I appreciate your advice.

While I don't know the consequences ( if any ) of installing a bearing with the notches out, I have always installed them " notches in". Lately, Merc put that nice red dot on the bearing for us to make sure we install it facing outwards. Which by the way is notches in.

If you look at the new gimble bearing from the side you will notice that the inner race has been shaved down on one side, this is to acomadate the larger u-joint shaft assemblay on the x series drives.

The BIG DEAL about putting this bearing in wrong is it could apply to much preload on the input stack bearings and on the gimble bearing. If this happens then more than likely it will burn up the bearing stack bearings and the gimble bearing. If you dont want to take a chance on burning up the driveshaft housing, you need to make sure that bearing is in the transom assembly with the red dot facing out like already stated.

Great discussion. Glad I asked.

Thanks to everyone.