Volvo SX Gimbal Bearing Removal Problem

[Rgruber]

Dear All:

I have a 2007 Regal with a Volvo Sx drive mated to a 4.3 liter engine. It has about 60 hours on it. A few weeks ago, I noticed a grinding noise when I turned the drive. So I took it in and the service deparment told me the gimbal bearing probably needed to be replaced.

They pulled the drive off yesterday and, to make a long story short, they tell me they cannot get the gimbal bearing out. It is frozen solid and they are concerned they will damage the gimbal housing if they try to hard. They want to removed the engine and, I suppose, unbolt the gimbal housing from the tramsom and, I guess, knock the beaing out that way. The estimate for this repair is $5,500.00--not including the possibility that they may have already damaged the gimbal housing, which could put the estimate up to around $8,000.00.

Do any of you have any advice for this? Is there a way to get the gimbal bearing off that perhaps they have not tried? I looked at the bearing today, and it does have some corrosion around the bearing housing, but it does not look too bad. I did not try to move the inner race, so I don't know if it is frozen. I can't believe they can't get it out and I can't believe all this damage could have occured within the two years that we have had this boat. As for the hole in the bellows, it is right up next to where the bellows connects to the drive. It feels (the hole) like it is right on one of the ribs.

I would appreciate any advice on this issue.

Thank you,

[Don S]

On a 2007 boat ????????
Take it to a Volvo dealer, and call Volvo.