Reuse or replace?

[harringtondav]

I'm ready to replace my oil seal-grooved gear yoke and seal. I just noticed this grooving in my coupler yoke gimbal bearing surface. Most of the surface is OK. I'm not afraid to dig into my pocket to replace a potentially troublesome part, but I'm on the fence with this one.

Thoughts please.

 

[alldodge]

Use a speedy sleeve or replace it

 

[alldodge]

Wait a minute, with the O rings isn't that the gimbal bearing side?

 

[harringtondav]

Wait a minute, with the O rings isn't that the gimbal bearing side?

Yes. This is my coupler shaft. The grooves are the gimbal bearing diameter. The gear yoke is also being replaced. Typo error. Sorry.

 

[alldodge]

Yes. This is my coupler shaft. The grooves are the gimbal bearing diameter. The gear yoke is also being replaced. Typo error. Sorry.

Then I wouldn't worry about it and just use it.

 

[wrench 3]

You have checked the condition of the gimbal bearing. Right.

 

[harringtondav]

You have checked the condition of the gimbal bearing. Right.

Yes. It's fine. Replaced last spring. Alignment is also good. I've never had a frozen gimbal bearing. I can't ID a reason for those grooves.

 

[DouglasW]

Are those grooves new? I don't know how long you have owned the boat. Is it possible those grooves were made in the past when the bearing failed with a prior owner? I reviewed the photos I took of mine when I removed the drive it last year. Some small grooves but not as deep. My gimbal bearing seemed to be ok.

 

[harringtondav]

Are those grooves new?

I don't know. It's my original 23 yr old coupler yoke shaft. I once had a noisy gimbal bearing that I failed by a screw up I won't go into, but it wasn't frozen. I pull the drive regularly for inspection, but I normally don't pay much attention to this area. The grooves may be old.

 

[achris]

Pull the O rings off, run some fine wet'n'dry over it, clean it and put new O rings on... You'll be fine.