Re: Alpha Gimble Grease point missing??!!
see that dot of epoxy on the pic showing the stbd side. thats where the grease fitting was supposed to be. I think someone broke it off or stripped it and filled the hole with epoxy. pop that bearing out with a slide hammer and look for a hole in the bearing housing at about the 1 or 2Oclock position. it also looks like you have had water in the gimbal area. it only comes from limited locations and is most likly the cause of the bearing failure. never saw one wear out but I see water damaged ones weekly. if its water damage its IMPERATIVE to disasemble the ujoints for inspection. usually when the joint fails it takes the transom shield with it by breaking the aluminium ring the gimbal bellows clmp to.
see that dot of epoxy on the pic showing the stbd side. thats where the grease fitting was supposed to be. I think someone broke it off or stripped it and filled the hole with epoxy. pop that bearing out with a slide hammer and look for a hole in the bearing housing at about the 1 or 2Oclock position. it also looks like you have had water in the gimbal area. it only comes from limited locations and is most likly the cause of the bearing failure. never saw one wear out but I see water damaged ones weekly. if its water damage its IMPERATIVE to disasemble the ujoints for inspection. usually when the joint fails it takes the transom shield with it by breaking the aluminium ring the gimbal bellows clmp to.
, ended up being able to break apart the actual bearing and then cut and collapse the outer ring. It was all so corroded in there that no amount of anything would shift it easily. Anyway, end result it was out. New bearing fitted and lined up fairly easily.. 