Gimbal bearing replacement???

[rcarden711]

Hello-

I have twin 1999 Mercruiser 3.0LX with Alpha 1 Gen 2 drives. I have the drives and bell housing off to replace bellows and lower shift cables. Since the Sierra bellows kit came with a new gimbal bearing, I was thinking of replacing them even though they both look and feel OK and no water has ever gotten into bellows. However, I accidently used grease w/ teflon on them so I would like to switch them out. I've bought an alignment rod and borrowed a puller and installer.

According to the service manual, I need to install a new grease seal into the the housing before I install gimbal bearing. Am I reading this correctly? If so, I think I need a seperate install tool for that too or can I leave the old grease seal in?

Also, is there a way to tell if the new gimbal bearing is the new style one that doesn't need grease?

Thanks

 

[Brentathon]

Re: Gimbal bearing replacement???

What's wrong with grease with teflon?

Oh....forget the above.....it's the ol' "no teflon" on bearing theory.

 

[Squab]

Re: Gimbal bearing replacement???

I have a alpha one gen one and the gimbal came with the grease seal already attached,. There was a little hole in the side of it letting me know that would have to align with the gimbal grease fitting on the housing.
Hope this helps

 

[gustro]

Re: Gimbal bearing replacement???

Everything I've seen on the replacement bearing shows it has a slot for the grease acess that will need to be alinged correctly during install. Also saw a good post about throwing the bearing in the freezer overnight to make it slip in a little easier. I'll let you know how my gimbal bearing goes in my genI when i'm done, plan on buying the kit here http://bpi.ebasicpower.com/c/MER2D/Bell Housing Service Kits for Mercruiser