Gimbal Ring replacment Bravo 3

[Sassycat]

I am being told that my gimbal ring needs replaced for my Bravo 3 outdrive. I have found two options: 1 the standard tap and drill on both sides of my transom plate, or 2 the JR Marine method of drilling and cuting a plate size hole in the back or the transom plate (both options are expensive). Are there any optiions short of drilling and cutting on my outdrive?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Gimbal Ring replacment Bravo 3

Are there any optiions short of drilling and cutting on my outdrive?

Ayuh,... Sure,... Pull the drive, then the motor, 'n change out the ring...

 

[dubs283]

Re: Gimbal Ring replacment Bravo 3

someone was just posting about this same topic recently, but on an alpha

i will tell you what i told them, use the mercruiser recommended procedure and drill the holes on either side of the gimbal housing

pretty easy access to everything, more so than even pulling the drive/motor

it is more labor intensive to pull the engine to complete this task anyways so if you value your time/energy, it is less costly to do it the "easy" way

 

[45Auto]

Re: Gimbal Ring replacment Bravo 3

I used the JR set up when I had to do my B3 gimbal ring. It worked great.

If you think that the JR method or the Mercruiser "frankenstein" plugs is expensive, just wait till you price having the motor pulled and replaced instead to do it!

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Gimbal Ring replacment Bravo 3

Having dealt with Ron at JR, about some problems with my alpha I ring , I really like those guys, and think they know what they are doing. Having the proper tools included in the kit will make it seem a lot less expensive when you get in there. If you don't like the looks of the plate on the outside, you can save the cutout, and by using a couple of thin pieces of aluminum epoxied to the inside for backing JB Weld the cutout back in place, sand, paint and a new decal it will look like new. Good luck.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Gimbal Ring replacment Bravo 3

I wouldn't even think about trusting a 2" x 2" hole directly into my boat to a JB weld patch.

But then, I thought the polished JR plate looked better than the sticker anyway!!

(Ignore the arrows, they were there for a different post)

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Gimbal Ring replacment Bravo 3

Ayuh,... Sure,... Pull the drive, then the motor, 'n change out the ring...

Yeah,

That would be my plan. I wouldn't like drilling into the transom mount....But I do have a hoist, shop and WAY TOO MUCH time on my hands!!


Cheers,


Rick

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Gimbal Ring replacment Bravo 3

I wouldn't even think about trusting a 2" x 2" hole directly into my boat to a JB weld patch.

Yeah, but you still have a 2"X2" hole under the patch. Anyway, I don't think that is a very structurally important area anyway (if it were no lawyer would let them recommend cutting into it), after all, plugs (for drilled holes) add no structural strength at all. Either way I think it is just a way to keep the water out.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Gimbal Ring replacment Bravo 3

It's definitely just to keep the water out. Nothing structural at all about that part of the transom. If you had a big enough bilge pump and battery, and you ran them constantly and completely trusted them, you could leave the hole in the transom shield! Wouldn't affect the strength of the transom shield at all.

I have two big bilge pumps and two big batteries. I'd still rather not trust my boat to them. I've seen too many JB patches pop completely off due to vibration, thermal affects, impacts, etc to trust a JB glued patch to plug the hole.

Worst thing you'll see with the bolted plate would be a couple of the screws loosen up and you'd get a trickle of water into the boat.