Can I Prevent Corrosion and a Stuck Gimbal Bearing?

[KM7]

What are some ways to prevent corrosion and a stuck gimbal bearing?

I had to fight a stuck bearing that took a lot of effort to remove. See the post titled "How Do I Remove a Stuck Gimbal Bearing"

I know, there should not be any water on the bearing and then there would be a lot less corrosion. ( but still not zero)

But things happen, bellows leak, water gets in and bearings get stuck.

To make this a much easier job next time I'm considering this:

1) Prime and paint the gimbal housing where the bearing seats.

2) Grease the surface where the bearing seats.

3) Grease the beating through the Zerk fitting more often.

4) Seal the tube carefully for the Zerk fitting on the side of the housing to prevent water from getting in.

5) Seal the nipple on the Zerk fitting with gasket sealer where the small check ball is. Do this after greasing the bearing. The gasket sealer will have to be removed and reapplied each time the bearing is greased.

6) Carefully seal all the potential leak paths: Shift cable, Water pump, Water hose, prop shaft, OD to pivot housing interface, front of bellows to gimbal housing, back of bellows to bearing carrier etc.

7) Remove the OD 1x per year to check for leaks or corrosion.

What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks

 

[Lou C]

Makes sense, I would coat the internals with a good waterproof marine grease like OMC/Evinrude triple guard…it stays where you put it even if it gets wet….coatibg the grease zerk with gasket sealer like Evinrude gasket sealer or Permatex Aviation also makes sense. The other way water can get in past the gasket into the cavity where the bell crank lives is there is an oring on the bellcrank that can leak from the exhaust housing. Not hard to change either…

 

[alldodge]

I'd suggest anti seize

 

[Scott Danforth]

I recommend tef-gel over anti seize

 

[KM7]

Makes sense, I would coat the internals with a good waterproof marine grease like OMC/Evinrude triple guard…it stays where you put it even if it gets wet….coatibg the grease zerk with gasket sealer like Evinrude gasket sealer or Permatex Aviation also makes sense. The other way water can get in past the gasket into the cavity where the bell crank lives is there is an oring on the bellcrank that can leak from the exhaust housing. Not hard to change either…

Agreed. The O-ring is part number 0202893 and is called "O-ring, Bellcrank". Note it was labeled incorrectly on the Crowley Marine website as "Water tube extension O-ring" I will replace that as well. I think that you are referring to the Pivot Housing.