1998 Alpha Outdrive

[scarchest]

Just started a 45 minute task that has turned<br />into a job. This is a 1998 Bayliner Capri<br />with an Alpha I outdrive, gimbell bearing<br />whinning, no grease from factory, customer<br />wanted replaced, removed outdrive and upper<br />gearcase, gimbell bearing installed ass backwards from factory, used every puller that I had in tool box, do not want to pull engine to drive out because MERCRUISER wont pay me, and it is not the customers fault,<br />Any suggestions will be appreciated<br /><br />Thanks <br />Scar

 

[clanton]

Re: 1998 Alpha Outdrive

Take the boot off, and warm up the housing close to the bearing. 10 pound slide hammer. I thought the bearing was the same both sides.

 

[scarchest]

Re: 1998 Alpha Outdrive

Thanks for the reply Clanton, but both sides are not the same, the prop side should have 2<br />notches in it, and the motor side has none.<br />A punch and a hammer should be all you need<br />to get the bearing out, was not going to replace the race, but since mercuiser put the race in backwards, I will have to replace it also. I have never had this problem on OMC outdrives. Has anyone seen this problem on Alpha drives, and if so, what did you do

 

[clanton]

Re: 1998 Alpha Outdrive

It has been a while since I changed one. I always changed the complete bearing.

 

[ODDD1]

Re: 1998 Alpha Outdrive

scarchest... just because you think its in 'backwards' doesn't mean it is....the gimbal bearing comes with the outer race and tolerance ring for a reason, use them.<br />pulling these bearings is a procedure needed anytime a bearing gets wet an not maitained....if you dont have the tools, dont complain, buy them...

 

[scarchest]

Re: 1998 Alpha Outdrive

ODD1, We have just about any tool you could<br />imagine, and 99% of the special tools made<br />for marine applications. This should been a<br />45 to 60 minute job, if the bearing had been <br />install correctly at the factory, especially<br />on this new of a boat. Thanks for your response and advice<br /><br />Scar

 

[hondon]

Re: 1998 Alpha Outdrive

Mercuiser has been installing their gimballs in this fashion for quite some time now to keep you from doing what it is you are trying to do. Spin just the bearing out ,and not the race.A good long slide hammer with beefy jaws and a 15 lb hammer has worked flawlessly for me.Remember when installing the new bearing combo to line up the tension ring with the hole in the bearing ,then that slot to the grease fitting exit.

 

[scarchest]

Re: 1998 Alpha Outdrive

Thanks all for your help, a three jawed puller and a 1/2 inch impact wrench would not<br />budge the darn thing, so I ended up drilling<br />it out<br /><br />Thanks again<br />Scar

 

[dick]

Re: 1998 Alpha Outdrive

A big mother slide hammer has always worked for me and has never let me down.By the way i've never had anyone from merc come and install a drive for me so even if it wasn't greased there it would seem to be the person who PDI'S the boats fault for not checking and or greasing the gimble bearing.