Gimbal bearing replacement question.

[nvanzee]

I'm in the middle of replacing my gimbal bearing on an alpha one Gen 2. Got the new bearing in and I greased it. I noticed the grease is just coming out around the outer part of the bearing. Is that what it's supposed to do or is the grease hole blocked? My mark I made for the hole lines up. Wondering if maybe the thin "sleeve" on the outside turned a little blocking the hole? If that's not right what are the chances of pulling it back out and repressing it back in without ruining it?

Also not sure if it's a big deal or not but when I pulled the drive all the fluid drained out of the oil port. I see there is a check valve there but it must not be sealing. Is it an issue at all or is it just there to keep oil from leaking when the drive is pulled?

 

[NHGuy]

Put on some rubber gloves and feel the bearing. It will be obvious if it's not greased. If it's not you will have to deal with it somehow. The bearing won't live dry.

You probably need to drain & fill the drive anyway. So no great loss. Fill it when it's back on the boat. I think the check valve is on the boat side only.

 

[Fun Times]

What is the part number bearing you bought? Do you know if the bearing was an perma lube gimbal bearing or not?

 

[tpenfield]

+1 on the perma-lube bearing . . . also if it is not the perma-lube,it is probably the alignment of the bearing or the compression ring, as you noted.

Otherwise, grease with just ooze out of the outer flange, like you described.

the oil check valve thing . . . yes they will drain if the check valve does not seal. My starboard outdrive has that issue, for which I just stick a small piece of tubing to seal it while the drive is off.

Do you have the alignment tool? You will need that yo not only check the alignment, but to initially swivel the gimbal bearing to align with the coupler on the engine.

 

[nvanzee]

I have a Sierra 18-21005 bearing. Do you think I'll be able to pull it out without damaging it? Or should I get another one ordered?

I do have an alignment tool. It came with a kit I bought

 

[tpenfield]

Give it a try . . . I have removed them without issue. Just check it for smoothness of rotation once it is out.