Bearing Carrier Rev. Gear Bearing

CaptainRMF

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Hi guys. So after three days of soaking with Cut Rust and tapping and soaking and tapping, I finally got Bearing Carrier out to inspect and change big o-ring and prop seals. As usual I take everything apart and clean. I get to the putting back together part and read the note in the manual that says "The Rev. Gear Bearing MUST be replaced if removed from gear". I know, should have seen that First. The question is "WHY" and do I really have to replace bearing? Bearing and gear were clean as a whistle when taken out. Is this a money making note to buy a new bearing or does it matter that much? Thanks. Richy
 

Volphin

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Re: Bearing Carrier Rev. Gear Bearing

Most OE manuals don't write that directive lightly. I'd follow their advice. I've seen some bearings that are a single install preload and after that they are trash.
 

alldodge

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Re: Bearing Carrier Rev. Gear Bearing

Don't have an answer but the outdrive guru's should be along in a few and I would like to know the answer my self

Edit: BTW the type of drive may make a difference, don't know
 
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CaptainRMF

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Re: Bearing Carrier Rev. Gear Bearing

Hey AllDodge I never noticed that note before. Was in #6 Manual for drives '83-'90. Have done a few before on older drives and #4 Manual for drives '78-'82 doesn't have this note in it. Don't know their reasoning. All OEM part nos. are exactly the same for both drives '78-'90. Like Volphin's idea that they could be single use bearings so they get more money out of you but makes no sense. Have no problem buying bearing, if I must, but if not that's a case of beer while working. LOL. Thanks guys. Richy
 

Bondo

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Re: Bearing Carrier Rev. Gear Bearing

Ayuh,.... Generally speakin', a bearin' like that is destroyed by the pullin' process,...
 

CaptainRMF

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Re: Bearing Carrier Rev. Gear Bearing

Sorry to disappoint Bondo but bearing came off perfect. Not my first Rodeo splitting bearings, this one is immaculate.
 

wrench 3

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Re: Bearing Carrier Rev. Gear Bearing

That bearing is a ball bearing as opposed to a roller bearing and as such has a lot less contact area between the balls and the race. My way of thinking is that they are worried that driving the bearing out will damage the races.
 

Bondo

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Re: Bearing Carrier Rev. Gear Bearing

Sorry to disappoint Bondo but bearing came off perfect. Not my first Rodeo splitting bearings, this one is immaculate.

Ayuh,.... No disappointment here,... As I said,... generally speakin',....
 

CaptainRMF

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Re: Bearing Carrier Rev. Gear Bearing

That could be wrench 3 but don't understand why in manual #6 it MUST be replaced if removed from gear and doesn't have to be replaced in Manual #4. I know they are for different year drives but in Mercruiser OEM parts book they are the same OEM # bearing. Must be one of them there conundrums!!!
 

CaptainRMF

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Re: Bearing Carrier Rev. Gear Bearing

By the way, the outdrive is a SEI 106. Don't think that matters as all internal parts are the same as Mercruiser. Maybe I'll post question to them on their Forum also. See what they have to say. It's just bothering me not knowing why. I can get kind of OCD at times. Thanks
 

bspeth

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Re: Bearing Carrier Rev. Gear Bearing

maybe search for a bulletin pertaining to this subject?
 

thumpar

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Re: Bearing Carrier Rev. Gear Bearing

They may have found out by the time of writing #6 that it needed to be replaced for some reason.
 

CaptainRMF

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Re: Bearing Carrier Rev. Gear Bearing

OK so I got an answer from Tech Support @ SEI if anyone is interested. I will try to copy and paste conversation. If it doesn't come up they more or less said that if the bearing comes off the reverse gear smoothly then they reuse it. If the bearing is hard coming off or any damage is visible they trash it. Think I might be able to sleep tonight now. Hope this helps other inquiring minds like mine. Latter guys. Richy



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CaptainRMF

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Default Reverse Gear Bearing



Good morning. I'm replacing prop seals, needle bearing and o-ring on my bearing carrier. Pulled carrier, disassembled and cleaned parts. There is a note in shop manual that if bearing is removed from rev. gear it has to be replaced. Saw this note after I separated them. Is it really necessary to replace the bearing? Mine is like new, no marks and spins like butter. Is this so you buy another bearing or is it that critical to replace them? Thanks. Richy


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Today, 12:40 PM #2




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If you mean the big ball bearing, I would reuse it unless it came out really hard. If you mean the small needle bearing behind the seals, that should be replaced.

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Today, 12:53 PM #3




CaptainRMF

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I'm talking about the big bearing between the carrier and the thrust washer behind the reverse gear. Any reason why the note is there in Manual #6? Just didn't want to blow up the lowers if it HAD to be replaced.


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Today, 02:12 PM #4




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In theory when you are pulling the bearing out, it can damage the cage if it comes out hard. I have reused them.

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Today, 02:27 PM #5




CaptainRMF

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Thanks for the help. Richy
 

achris

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Re: Bearing Carrier Rev. Gear Bearing

When you press a bearing ONTO a shaft/gear/whatever, you are pressing on the inner race (or should be). That puts all the load of the press directly onto the race that is being fitted. However, when you remove that bearing you have no choice but to press against the outer race. This creates a load path through the balls. Any load on the balls while they are not spinning, especially an axial load, creates micro cracks in the ball surfaces and on the races. This leads to early failure if that bearing is put back into service. Ball bearings are not designed to take load axially, and will fail very easily if they are subject to that kind of loading. If the bearing came off by hand, reuse it. If you had to remove it with ANY tools, trash it and get a new one. BTW, even if you pulled the old bearing apart you would be very hard pressed to see any of the damaged surfaces without a microscope and crack disclosing solution.

I know the bearing's not cheap (around $45) but it's way cheaper than fishing out the old bits of it and fitting lots of new parts that it's failure took with it....

Chris......
 

jimbo_jwc

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Re: Bearing Carrier Rev. Gear Bearing

Cheese cutters around shaft tight to inner race with pulling bars and center screw Ok in my book . Pounding on inner race all around I wouldn't reuse . Haven't seen hardly any applications where inner race slides off on ball bearing just taper ones .
 

achris

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Re: Bearing Carrier Rev. Gear Bearing

Cheese cutters around shaft tight to inner race with pulling bars and center screw Ok in my book . Pounding on inner race all around I wouldn't reuse . Haven't seen hardly any applications where inner race slides off on ball bearing just taper ones .

My point precisely.

Also there is no space between the bearing and the back of the gear (once the bearing is properly installed on reverse gear) to get any tool (cheese-cutter or otherwise). The only way to create any space is to apply load to the outer. Trash-can it.
 
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CaptainRMF

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Re: Bearing Carrier Rev. Gear Bearing

Good morning guys. Hey Chris, thanks for the detailed explanation. Makes a lot more sense to me now. I was never really bothered about spending the money on new bearing,"Boats, Bikes and Beer are worth every penny", just couldn't get my head around why the book said to reuse on old style and trash them on new style. Any who, today is my lucky day. Up early on E-Bay and found brand new Sierra complete Bearing Carrier with new Prop seals, needle bearing, Rev. gear ball bearing, thrust washer, O-ring, lock ring and retainer nut. All brand new and all for $50, can you believe that, $50 BUCKS with FREE shipping. Looks like the problem solved itself. Want to thank all you guys again for all the help. Was a great discussion. Really like the info that's available here. Now I just gotta wait for SPRING to get here and get in the water. Thanks. Richy :)
 

wrench 3

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Re: Bearing Carrier Rev. Gear Bearing

Don't forget to re-check the shimming.
 
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