Gimbal bearing replacement

[LearJet3]

I have a 94 Volvo Cobra SX outdrive that I intend on pulling off to change the U-joints, gimbal bearing, and all the bellows as soon as the parts get here. I have the manual for the drive and I am a professional aircraft mechanic with 15 years experience so I am not real afraid of taking this thing apart. However I have not had one apart before and the place I ordered the gimbal bearing from tried to rent/sell me a gimbal bearing removal tool. Can this bearing be removed with anything else or do I need this special tool? I have the alignment bar, I hear it's handy.

 

[Don S]

Re: Gimbal bearing replacement

A slide hammer normally works for removing them. When you pull the outdrive off, do an alignment check before removing the gimbal bearing. Then you will know the alignment is ok when you put the new one back in and have to align the center part of the bearing to the coupler.

 

[evilratgirl]

Re: Gimbal bearing replacement

You want SOMETHING to get behind the bearing to help pull it out. I made a puller out of some flat stock and a long bolt. Or, as Don says, a slide hammer. Something. Fingers ain't gonna do it.

 

[hoot]

Re: Gimbal bearing replacement

and you might want to use some graphite powder on the housing to help the brg slide out and the new one go in. i put my bearing in the freezer overnite to shrink it a little and heated the housing with a heat gun. and you drive or press the new one in by the outer race, not the inner.