2007 Bravo 3 gimbal bearing, no grease fitting?

[KJ47]

This is my first merc drive in quite a few years, last few boats had VPs. I just purchased this and was going over the drive before I put it in the water and went to grease the gimbal bearing and the hole for the grease fitting has a tamper proof torx plug screwed in it where the gimbal bearing grease fitting should be.

Its a 2007 Bravo III, the drive was off recently, it has a new bellows but I dont know exactly what else was done. I dont know if they went to permantly greased bearings like the Volvos or if the gimbal bearing was replaced with a non-greasable bearing and someone put the plug in there to keep someone from trying grease it.

I searched but couldnt find anything.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 2007 Bravo 3 gimbal bearing, no grease fitting?

the newer bearings are sealed units,no greasing necessary.

 

[KJ47]

Re: 2007 Bravo 3 gimbal bearing, no grease fitting?

the newer bearings are sealed units,no greasing necessary.

Thats what I thought, I was curious if merc put the plug where the grease fitting should be there since new or if the plug was put in there when the bearing was replaced.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 2007 Bravo 3 gimbal bearing, no grease fitting?

You gotta love those new sealed bearings . . . greasing is usually necessary, just not available, so the bearing wears out.

I am wondering if you could replace the torx bolt with a grease zerk and get back to the good ol' days.???

 

[KJ47]

Re: 2007 Bravo 3 gimbal bearing, no grease fitting?

You gotta love those new sealed bearings . . . greasing is usually necessary, just not available, so the bearing wears out.

I am wondering if you could replace the torx bolt with a grease zerk and get back to the good ol' days.???

The new bearings dont have the hole channel for the grease to get inside it, if thats whats in there putting a fitting in and pumping it up with too much pressure may not be a good idea.

My last couple VP DPS drives had sealed gimbal bearings as well. I replaced one at 500 hours just to be safe, it 'felt' good but I had the drive off so I just replaced it.