Gimbal Ring- Pull the engine or drill the outdrive bell housing

[dolemite_1]

So I am faced with a tough decision. I have about 2-3 inches of play in my portside outdrive that I have narrowed down to wear in the pivot bolt going through the square gimbal ring opening. I have checked for excess play od the steering arm and tightened the 2 bolts on the outside of the housing to no avail.

I have read tha both mercruiser and Jr marine make a drill kit to drill into the housing to extract the afflicted parts but I am hesitant on doing it. In two weeks of reading I have jumped back and forth btwn pulling the engine to accomplish this job to just using one if not both of the drill kits.

Bravo 1 Extractor Bushing A
Instructions

The boat is 2 yrs old to me but a 2000 280 ss formula with twin 2006 350 mag engines and original bravo 3 outdrives.

My questions:
How urgently should this job be done with 2-3 inches of play? (i know the down side if it fails without fixing it)
Does the drill kit hole really pose that much of a potential issue after it is plugged? ( i don't care cosmetics)

What do you guys think?

Thx
Brian

 

[achris]

Re: Gimbal Ring- Pull the engine or drill the outdrive bell housing

Just watched the video... I think I'd be pulling the engine...

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Gimbal Ring- Pull the engine or drill the outdrive bell housing

Done a few of em, not that bad of a job,yeah you can pull the engine but in my opinion its easier and quicker to drill the housing.It wont weaken it or cause any issues down the road. Look at others out there,you'd be suprised haw many are done that way.
Grub

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Gimbal Ring- Pull the engine or drill the outdrive bell housing

Just watched the video... I think I'd be pulling the engine...

Yeah. I am with you. It just seems "wrong" to drill the transom mount. Now having said that, If I didn't have a complete shop and couldn't easily pull the engine, I would consider drilling.......

 

[achris]

Re: Gimbal Ring- Pull the engine or drill the outdrive bell housing

Yeah. I am with you. It just seems "wrong" to drill the transom mount. Now having said that, If I didn't have a complete shop and couldn't easily pull the engine, I would consider drilling.......

Yep... He's tossing between the two option, I think he has facility to pull the engine... (BTW, 'facility' =tree+chain block. )

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Gimbal Ring- Pull the engine or drill the outdrive bell housing

I did not have an easy way to pull my engine when I swapped my B3 gimbal ring, so I drilled/tapped the sides for the mercruiser plug kit and used the JR Marine kit to create a hole in the back of the housing. It was all very easy to do and made taking the gimbal ring out a pretty simple job.

That said, I now have the means to pull the engine easily and would go that route if I had to do it again since I'd like to fix a few things that I can't reach, clean the bilge thoroughly, upgrade my bilge pump, add an oil drain hose kit, and replace the ring gear on my flywheel. Maybe this Fall...

 

[dolemite_1]

Re: Gimbal Ring- Pull the engine or drill the outdrive bell housing

Unfortunately for me, I don't have the means to pull the engine and dont have a trailer either. I could potentially borrow a trailer but I don't trust myself drilling or pulling the engine myself. This leaves me to having to pay someone to do it.

The one mechanic that I have been dealining with is starting up his own business said that it basically ends up being close to the same price. He also recommends replacing the gimbal ring instead of welding it and resizing it.

 

[achris]

Re: Gimbal Ring- Pull the engine or drill the outdrive bell housing

I agree, if the ring itself is worn, replace, don't try and repair (unless the welder is VERY experienced and has done the job MANY times before with good success, and gives you guarantee that it will be just as good as a new one)...

Chris........

 

[dolemite_1]

Re: Gimbal Ring- Pull the engine or drill the outdrive bell housing

The gimbal ring would be going to Jr marine the manufacturer of one of the drill kits. Cost is $245.

 

[achris]

Re: Gimbal Ring- Pull the engine or drill the outdrive bell housing

The gimbal ring would be going to Jr marine the manufacturer of one of the drill kits. Cost is $245.

Given what I saw on the video, I would trust them to repair the gimbal ring. I would also expect it comes back with a warranty...

Chris....