Greasing the gimbal bearing question

[Drcoffee]

Is it better to grease the gimbal while the engine is off or running in neutral where the grease can flow throughout the bearing?

 

[Bt Doctur]

With the drive off, inject grease until you see it at the inner race

 

[Drcoffee]

Sorry, I meant during normal maintenance thru the season.
and how many pumps of the grease gun is typically needed?

 

[achris]

... how many pumps of the grease gun is typically needed?

If it was done properly at the service interval (when the drive was removed) then it shouldn't need any greasing during the season.

Chris......

 

[Drcoffee]

If it was done properly at the service interval (when the drive was removed) then it shouldn't need any greasing during the season.

Chris......

Hi Chris, i just bought this boat last August, used it 3 times Last year. I will remove the drive at the end of the season and deal with bellows and gimbal then. There wasnt any odd noises when running the boat last year. For now, just trying to catch up on the unknown maintenance. Not sure it matters, but its a 1995 Rinker 212 captiva 5.7L alpha 1 gen2 with 500 hrs. Before winter storage I replaced the outdrive water pump just to make sure it was in good shape. The temp never got above 160* when running at 3300 rpm (New t-stat installed Before first outing).

 

[achris]

I'd give it 1 pump of a standard grease gun, no more. (2 pumps of the little mini-guns that Merc sell with the small tubes. I think they're about 1/3 of a standard tube)

Chris...

 

[Drcoffee]

Okay, thank you

 

[nola mike]

Okay, thank you

How could you grease it with the engine running? On a new to you boat, it would be a very good idea to do the drive maintenance prior to this season so you don't run into any problems. Check for water in the bellows, alignment, gimbal bearing and u-joints. Even if you've never done it, shouldn't take more than an hour, maybe two if you stop for a beer

 

[Drcoffee]

How could you grease it with the engine running? On a new to you boat, it would be a very good idea to do the drive maintenance prior to this season so you don't run into any problems. Check for water in the bellows, alignment, gimbal bearing and u-joints. Even if you've never done it, shouldn't take more than an hour, maybe two if you stop for a beer

The drive shaft, gimbal, u-joints spin at all times while the engine is running. The Fwd/Rev shifter is below the main driveshaft. So the prop is not engaged.

I bought the boat from a dealer on consignment. They did all the maintenance for the last 15 years. I believe them on the general maintenance and condition Of the boat. There were no leaks during 2021.

 

[nola mike]

The drive shaft, gimbal, u-joints spin at all times while the engine is running. The Fwd/Rev shifter is below the main driveshaft. So the prop is not engaged.

My bad, your post said gimbal bearing, but my brain said coupler

 

[achris]

My bad, your post said gimbal bearing, but my brain said coupler

Oh, that's something I'd pay money to see!

 

[nola mike]

Oh, that's something I'd pay money to see!

I was thinking a really long breakaway grease hose