Gimbal bearing puller

Scott06

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Ran into an issue pulling the gimbal bearing in my 2004 Alpha gen 2. Fresh water boat still has the original greaseable bearing in there, never had water in bellows...

an hour with BF slide hammer didnt budge it...

was thinking about getting this tool


Has anyone used this one, expensive but the reviews are good.

Alternatively was thinking of making my own out of a swiveling axle bearing puller attached to a threaded rod and plate across the bellhousing...

something like this https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MIx-OztdjqiAMVUTcIBR0myiwAEAQYAiABEgLA-vD_BwE
 

Bondo

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Ayuh,..... I have an OTC set like in yer link, 'n have used it successfully,......

Years ago, I pulled a stubborn gimbel bearing, with a threaded rod, a heavy flat bar, 'n a washer 'n nut I slipped in-between the coupler, 'n gimbel bearing, 'n pulled the bearing against the bellhousing,....
 

Alumarine

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Like Bondo I used an axle bearing puller with threaded rod as well.
Harbour Freight has the pullers for $29.99.

1727705723577.jpeg
 

Scott06

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Thanks guys. I think that's what I will do axle bearing swivel plus some threaded rod and bar
 

ScottinAZ

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The puller you show should work, unless it’s REALLY stuck…. The one I did last year had been in there since 1980, and BROKE two of the axle pullers…. I ended up having to remove the gimballing “eye” and cutting the aluminum outer housing with a dremel……
 

Scott06

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The puller you show should work, unless it’s REALLY stuck…. The one I did last year had been in there since 1980, and BROKE two of the axle pullers…. I ended up having to remove the gimballing “eye” and cutting the aluminum outer housing with a dremel……
Hopefully no cutting … did yiu have to take the bellhousing and bellows off to get in there ?
 

ScottinAZ

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Hopefully no cutting … did yiu have to take the bellhousing and bellows off to get in there ?

I had already pulled the bellows and bellhousing for access. I have large hands, and being able to see what I am doing is a plus. I cannot see how you would be able to use the "nuclear option" without pulling those parts... Plus it keeps the shavings out of the bellows.....
 

Alumarine

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nola mike

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Iirc I used a bearing puller with the bell housing still attached. I do know last time around the engine was out and I knocked it out from the inside. That made for an easy job.
 

Scott06

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Does anyone have a dimension dwg of the stud pattern in the bellhousing?

I bought the swiveling bearing removal tool plus some 5/8" fine threaded rod, making the steel to go across the bell housing.... boat is 5 hr drive away and I just stocked up on outdrive gaskets was hoping to avoid buying another gasket just for the dims if they are available...
 

Bondo

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Does anyone have a dimension dwg of the stud pattern in the bellhousing?

I bought the swiveling bearing removal tool plus some 5/8" fine threaded rod, making the steel to go across the bell housing.... boat is 5 hr drive away and I just stocked up on outdrive gaskets was hoping to avoid buying another gasket just for the dims if they are available...
Ayuh,....... Mine is a big rectangle bar with a hole for the rod,.....
It rides/ pulls against the bell, between the holes,...
 

Scott06

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Ayuh,....... Mine is a big rectangle bar with a hole for the rod,.....
It rides/ pulls against the bell, between the holes,...
I was gonna use a 2" wide channel iron I had laying around , was assuming it would fit between the studs but wasnt 100% sure
 

flashback

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I got a feeling 2 inches will be close, looked in my parts cache but don't have a spare gasket. I'm sure someone does though.
 

Alumarine

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Gasket looks to be 1-15/16" between centers.
A bit of fine tuning with a grinder should make it work.
 
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Alumarine

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My bad, I measured between centers which isn't going to help you.
I just measured between the studs on an old MR/R bell housing and it's 1.50 between the studs.
I had the bell housing off when I pulled mine though.
 
Last edited:

Scott06

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My bad, I measured between centers which isn't going to help you.
I just measured between the studs on an old MR/R bell housing and it's 1.50 between the studs.
I had the bell housing off when I pulled mine though.
Ok Thanks I'll make sure to be prepared to drill holes in the channel for the studs when I get back up where my boat is.
 
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