4.3 Alpha One - Gimball bearing issue

[WhiteyFlex]

I'll try to keep the back story brief:
1989 Regal Sebring 195 runabout with an upgraded 4.3L vortec alpha one (upgraded engine with original outdrive).
Bought the boat a couple years ago. Owner kept it in amazing shape. Took the boat out for the first couple uses and noticed a groaning/growling type noise from the rear of the boat that was mostly present during turns. Took it to a mechanic and he said it was probably the gimball bearing but the u-joints were a possibility. He recommended to replace the gimball bearing and leave the u-joints so that's what we did. He also replaced the lower shift cable while he was in there. Next season took the boat out and it seemed a little better but not perfect. Also there was now water dripping from the top of the lower shift cable which would mean there's pressurized water being pushed up the cable.
Fast forward to this season and the noise is back and louder than ever. Now the noise will be there if I'm trimmed all the way down, or when turning which is way more and worse than before.
I decided with a little advice from a local boat shop that the u-joints were the most likely suspect. So last night I pulled the outdrive to check things out and this is what I found:
1. Looks like the water jacket o-ring was leaking because there seemed to be a fair amount of water in and around the housing.
Question: how do you know for sure that it was leaking. When I loosened the 6 outdrive bolts on the housing it immediately started leaking water on bolt #3 of 6.
2. The gimball bearing literally came off when I removed the outdrive. It was sitting on the output shaft like it was meant to be there. A few simple prys with a flat head screwdriver and the bearing slipped right off. I've watched people install the gimball bearing online and it has to be pressed/hammered in to fit. I guess putting it in the freezer helps it fit easier.
Question: is it common for a gimball bearing to come out of the housing on it's own with out being intentionally removed? Seems unlikely but i wanted to check. See pictures below.

 

[dubs283]

1. Based on how much bellows adhesive is around the o ring its possible there was a water leak. You need to clean all the old adhesive off the seat and when installing new use only a couple dabs of adhesive to hold the o ring in place. The o ring in the seat provides the seal, not adhesive. Adhesive is used lightly only to hold the o ring in place. This goes for the large quad ring in the bell housing/drive mating area as well. It's possible the shift shaft seal in the bell housing is leaking too

2. No, the gimbal bearing should not come out on the driveshaft. It was installed wrong, perhaps not properly aligned, is the wrong bearing or the seat in the gimbal housing is worn/damaged not allowing the proper fit of the bearing

 

[Scott06]

Not uncommon but usually there will be corrosion in thee locking gimbal brg to shaft. Replace the gimbal making sure it is seated properly, moog 315g or equivalent u joints will fit your gen one drive and are cheap

make sure quad ring is properly glued in bellhousing before drive reinstall

 

[nola mike]

I'm going with faulty gimbal bearing install. Doesn't look like there was water intrusion in the bellows that would rust the bearing to the shaft. Was the water in your shift shaft bellows? The rust I see is in the water passage, which is where water should be
Edit: didn't see @dubs283 response,+1 on the gimbal install.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Only way you get water coming out the lower cable housing is if the water passage o-ring isn't doing its job. Agree with all said by other posters here. The devil is always in the details. Thoroughly clean the gimbal bearing pocket in the housing and inspect very closely. All it takes is a crack there to make that bearing too loose to seat properly.

 

[WhiteyFlex]

Not uncommon but usually there will be corrosion in thee locking gimbal brg to shaft. Replace the gimbal making sure it is seated properly, moog 315g or equivalent u joints will fit your gen one drive and are cheap

make sure quad ring is properly glued in bellhousing before drive reinstall

Thanks to everyone's responses. I was assuming bad install on the gimball bearing but wanted some further advice. Does the gimball bearing installation tool double as an alignment tool as well? Sounds like I'll need to buy one.

What's the quad ring that needs to be glued properly?

When installing the new gimball bearing should I install it first and then grease it after?

What kind of grease should I use?

 

[Rick Stephens]

Thanks to everyone's responses. I was assuming bad install on the gimball bearing but wanted some further advice. Does the gimball bearing installation tool double as an alignment tool as well? Sounds like I'll need to buy one.

What's the quad ring that needs to be glued properly?

When installing the new gimball bearing should I install it first and then grease it after?

What kind of grease should I use?

Some alignment bars have a bearing driver with them.

The quad ring is the 4 inch one that gets glues into the bell housing hole.
Grease after.

Marine grease, or pretty much any high pressure grease. Not going to be in water, so marine is not necessary.

 

[Rick Stephens]

You need an actual Mercruiser Service Manual if you are going to maintain your own boat. It will answer everything, and even stuff you didn't know to ask.

 

[nola mike]

Some alignment bars have a bearing driver with them.

Get that one.

 

[Scott06]

Thanks to everyone's responses. I was assuming bad install on the gimball bearing but wanted some further advice. Does the gimball bearing installation tool double as an alignment tool as well? Sounds like I'll need to buy one.

What's the quad ring that needs to be glued properly?

When installing the new gimball bearing should I install it first and then grease it after?

What kind of grease should I use?

As others have mentioned yes you will need an alignment tool. You can get one that presses on the gimbal bearing but I have used a 1” wooden dowel on the outer race and also a 3” sch 40 pvc pipe section left over from a plumbing job.

quad ring comes with outdrive gasket kit and bets glued into bell housing at the end of the driveshaft bellows

if you buy an oem merc gimbal it will be a permalube gimbal bearing hence no greasing possible. Aftermarket greaseable install then grease.

grease-is like oil evreyone has one they swear is better…important thing is to get the factory manual know the lube points and grease them at least annually. i have used lucas red and tacky for years most because it is locally availible