Gimbal Bearing and Shaft Seal Replace

e016188

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Jun 16, 2009
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27
Hello,
I have a 1991 OMC 4.3L with cobra outdrive. Cobra outdrive model #98669.

I noticed noise from my outdrive during checkout/service over the christmas holiday. I found a hole in the propellar shaft bellows. I pulled the drive and found water inside the bellows. The gimbal bearing feels rough and I suspect the u-joints have been damaged. I purchased a gimbal bearing, u-joints and cobra bellows seal kit (18-2771). The parts are enroute. I removed the drive shaft bellows and exhaust bellows. I pulled the gimbal bearing. There is a lip seal inside of the gimbal bearing. Should I replace the lip seal? The drive spline is greased and the gimbal bearing is grease packed. Why the lip seal between the gimbal bearing and drive spline? Is the lip seal to keep water out of the drive spline? No indications of water in the drive spline.
 

Don S

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Re: Gimbal Bearing and Shaft Seal Replace

That seal is not meant to keep water out, just dirt and dust. It just rides on the shaft, and not very tight either. If the rubber part is torn or pieces missing, replace the seal. If not it will be fine,
 

e016188

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Messages
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Re: Gimbal Bearing and Shaft Seal Replace

I would like to post some information that may help others. I borrowed (buy then return for full refund) a slide hammer and puller from autozone that worked very well for me. See attached photos. I also say a puller kit at harbor freight for ~$40.00. The kit had a slide hammer and 3 or 4 different size expanding arbors.
 

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Don S

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Re: Gimbal Bearing and Shaft Seal Replace

I borrowed (buy then return for full refund) a slide hammer and puller from autozone

No wonder buisnesses are going out of buisness with people like you around.:mad:
 

JustJason

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Re: Gimbal Bearing and Shaft Seal Replace

Don S said:
No wonder buisnesses are going out of buisness with people like you around.

Actually Autozone up here offers what they call "free loaners". You pay full retail for the tool, use it, and return it for the refund. They advertise it on the windows.
 

Don S

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Re: Gimbal Bearing and Shaft Seal Replace

That's different, but I hear people all the time bragging about buying something at Wally world, home depot, lowes etc. Use till finish with the job and take it back and say it was no good and get a refund. That kind of stuff just raises my blood pressure.
If what you say is how he did it, then I appoligize, if not, I stick with what I said.
 

JustJason

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Re: Gimbal Bearing and Shaft Seal Replace

Highly irritable old man :) said:
That kind of stuff just raises my blood pressure

I hear ya on that. That type of BS is right up there with seeing people going near my box without asking.
 

havasuboatman

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Mar 5, 2009
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Re: Gimbal Bearing and Shaft Seal Replace

They have that loner program here in havasu also. If you buy a tool at a place that has that, you need to make sure the tool you are getting isn't one of their loaners.
 

e016188

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Joined
Jun 16, 2009
Messages
27
Re: Gimbal Bearing and Shaft Seal Replace

Don, no need to bash me.

I'm fair/good/honest. Always. The display's in the Autozone store describe the tool loan process as "buy then return for refund". They have a wide selection of loaner tools. If you fail to return for any reason, you own the tool. I think 60 or 90 days. I simply used words that provide the wrong impression.

I made a specific point to purchase ~$30 worth of other items from this store I needed because this store provided the tool loan for me.
 

Don S

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Re: Gimbal Bearing and Shaft Seal Replace

Good to hear, sorry for the misunderstanding.
 

e016188

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Joined
Jun 16, 2009
Messages
27
Re: Gimbal Bearing and Shaft Seal Replace

No apologies needed. I used misleading words. I do have some more questions if I could.

I found what I believe to be a shift cable adjustment or lock nut loose in the pivot housing when I pulled the drive from the boat. I put the small brown adjustment or lock nut on the end of the shift cable where I believe it goes. The attached photo shows where I believe the nut should be installed? Threads fit. Is this correct? Is this an adjustment or lock nut?
Should I remove studs from the pivot housing, apply gasket sealer then reinstall? Should I buy new self-locking nuts? These are the nuts installed on the six studs that hold the drive to the pivot housing.
Do I apply gasket sealer to the drive shaft rubber bellows where the rubber bellows fits/seats in the pivot housing. The other end of the bellows is attached to the gimbal housing with the bellows clamp.
Do I apply gasket sealer to both the pivot housing and mating stern drive metal face with gasket between.
Is a small amount of silicon to hold the water passage seal o-ring in place in the pivot housing while re-installing the stern drive ok? I think I need something to help hold the o-ring seal in place.
 

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