Aftermarket stainless upper gimbal pin?

[boattoy]

I am rebuilding/painting everything on my bravo 1 while it’s apart for a new engine . I tore down the gimbal assembly and inspected the upper steering pin. It has pitting where the seal rides. Good thing I did tear it down because seal was also destroyed. . I did more research than I care to admit on steering pins and lots of people recommend a stainless gimbal pin because they don’t pit and ruin the seal.

The oem stainless pin is wayyy too much money imo . I’ve looked at some other options. Hill marine makes a hardened stainless pin for around 200 Hill pin . Also jr marine products and Hardin make one for around 300. If anyone has any experience with these please let me know .

Im going to order the bushings for the pin as well. Lower pin seems tight still so I’ll leave that alone

 

[Scott06]

I am rebuilding/painting everything on my bravo 1 while it’s apart for a new engine . I tore down the gimbal assembly and inspected the upper steering pin. It has pitting where the seal rides. Good thing I did tear it down because seal was also destroyed. . I did more research than I care to admit on steering pins and lots of people recommend a stainless gimbal pin because they don’t pit and ruin the seal.

The oem stainless pin is wayyy too much money imo . I’ve looked at some other options. Hill marine makes a hardened stainless pin for around 200 Hill pin . Also jr marine products and Hardin make one for around 300. If anyone has any experience with these please let me know .

Im going to order the bushings for the pin as well. Lower pin seems tight still so I’ll leave that alone

Had a friend who used the Nuwave marine SS one with great results

 

[Pmt133]

Had a friend who used the Nuwave marine SS one with great results

They've pulled it from their website as of a few weeks ago. Sucks because they're like half an hour from my house and anything I've ordered comes next day. Heard great things about it and priced fair. Due to wanting it done now, I got the merc unit but it seems my original 84 unit is still nearly in perfect shape so I may just clean and reuse it and save the ~$300.

 

[Drivewayboater2]

Got mine from Voltec Marine around 100.00

 

[Scott06]

They've pulled it from their website as of a few weeks ago. Sucks because they're like half an hour from my house and anything I've ordered comes next day. Heard great things about it and priced fair. Due to wanting it done now, I got the merc unit but it seems my original 84 unit is still nearly in perfect shape so I may just clean and reuse it and save the ~$300.

You are so far into it I wouldn't reuse the original one. Hills makes good stuff. You see these pins selling for $30 up to $300-400 so just be sure of the quality.

 

[Pmt133]

You are so far into it I wouldn't reuse the original one. Hills makes good stuff. You see these pins selling for $30 up to $300-400 so just be sure of the quality.

I know. I did get the merc stainless one. I had a store credit so it didn't hurt as bad. I actually got home from vacation last night and am planning on going over today to finish up the gimbal. If there is any pitting on the original I'm going to just use the new one. I just have a hard time with certain things and replacing them... no wear on the stock part is hard to argue with.

 

[Scott06]

I know. I did get the merc stainless one. I had a store credit so it didn't hurt as bad. I actually got home from vacation last night and am planning on going over today to finish up the gimbal. If there is any pitting on the original I'm going to just use the new one. I just have a hard time with certain things and replacing them... no wear on the stock part is hard to argue with.

the picture you posted has pitting in the seal surface plus some wear marks. Was it leaking ?I assume that is how the pitting started.

Merc used to sell steel ones for I think that much until the aftermarket undercut them on price with a better part. seems like a dumb place for steel

 

[Pmt133]

the picture you posted has pitting in the seal surface plus some wear marks. Was it leaking ?I assume that is how the pitting started.

Merc used to sell steel ones for I think that much until the aftermarket undercut them on price with a better part. seems like a dumb place for steel

I didn't post a picture I don't think. OP did though. I may have confused things lol.

 

[Scott06]

I didn't post a picture I don't think. OP did though. I may have confused things lol.

Yes I thought you were OP...

 

[boattoy]

the picture you posted has pitting in the seal surface plus some wear marks. Was it leaking ?I assume that is how the pitting started.

Merc used to sell steel ones for I think that much until the aftermarket undercut them on price with a better part. seems like a dumb place for steel

Idk if it leaked but pitting plus destroyed seal leads me to believe it did leak. I’ve never put this boat in the water. It’s getting drive all freshened up and a new engine so I’ll know once I dunk it for the first time.

I ended up ordering hill one. I’ll update once it arrives and see how the build quality is.

 

[Scott06]

Idk if it leaked but pitting plus destroyed seal leads me to believe it did leak. I’ve never put this boat in the water. It’s getting drive all freshened up and a new engine so I’ll know once I dunk it for the first time.

I ended up ordering hill one. I’ll update once it arrives and see how the build quality is.

Hills is usually pretty well regarded