Well I think I have found the problem to the noise in my lower unit. I was wondering if changing the GIMBAL BEARING in a alpha one lower unit is very hard or should I take it and have it done
The gimbal bearing in an Alpha is in the transom between the upper and the coupler. When you pull the drive, look in the bellows. That is the gimbal. Not knowing what you are working on makes anything here tough. the Alpha upper and lower share oil/grease. pull the drain plug and look for shavings or water intrusion. You can make a decision from there. SEI is the most economical. New SEI vs rebuilt Merc.
I did my first gimble bearing last season and it took me 4 hours,(with driving to the tool rental place for a puller, and alignment tool) and I've never done it before. It went super smooth and it's a peice of cake, shops should be ashamed to be charging $800 to change a bearing. Giver man, but research first, know 3 moves ahead of what ever your doing at all times. Your good to go, good luck.
i replaced all my bellows and gimbal bearing, and with the right bearing puller mine was out in about 4 hits of the slide hammer and make sure you when you install the new bearing there is a spacer around the out side of the bearing and make sure the grease fill hole on the bearing lines up with the zirk fitting on the outside of the gimbal housing, so that you can grease the bearing properly.
Good luck it really isnt that hard at all if you take your time and watch how everything comes off.
