Merc Gimbal Ring part# help

[QC]

I have a Bravo 1 with a severely wallowed out Gimbal Ring. I have been watching a few auctions etc. to get a decent deal on this otherwise $850ish part. Anyway I am confused by the part number of one I am looking at.

My drive S/N is OM273231. I believe it calls for the 822374A4. The one I have found is listed as an 822374A14. Is it compatible? I am starting to think it is only for the X drives. Or will it work with my S/N as well? Trim senders the same etc? Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc Gimbal Ring part# help

The A14 number is for SN's 0W461977 and newer the A4 is for SN's 0W461976 and older.
The only thing that appears to have changed on the whole transom shield assembly and gimbal ring at that SN break is the ubolt size. The A14 uses a 7/16" ubolt instead of a 3/8" one like the A4 does.

 

[QC]

Re: Merc Gimbal Ring part# help

The A14 number is for SN's 0W461977 and newer the A4 is for SN's 0W 461976 and older.

And the A14 does not directly replace the A4? Thanks Don.

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc Gimbal Ring part# help

I forgot to finish my previous post and went back and edited it while you was posting your reply.
Might want to re-read it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc Gimbal Ring part# help

Just found the 2005 service bulletin. If you was to order a brand new A4 from a Merc dealer, you would receive the A14. It will fit. The new ones come with the ubolt, nuts. and bracket.
It was SB 2005-10 if you want to read it at your local Merc dealers.

 

[QC]

Re: Merc Gimbal Ring part# help

Well that makes sense so that you could put some more torque on it and keep these things a little more snug . . .

I just went to the Merc Parts express site ( Parts Express ) and it calls for the A14 directly from my S/N. Stem to Stern calls for the A4. I tend to trust the OEM site, but with my CAT background, I absolutely know the OEM can be wrong too . . . From what you say, Don, I'll have to replace the U-bolt as well, which at $22 is the least of my concerns.

Thanks again.

 

[QC]

Re: Merc Gimbal Ring part# help

Thanks, we were simultaneously posting again . . . 8)

 

[Indymike]

Re: Merc Gimbal Ring part# help

Don't know if this helps but you might want to look.

http://www.jrmarine.com/products/gimbal_repair.htm

 

[QC]

Re: Merc Gimbal Ring part# help

Indymike,

Yeah I am aware of that fix. I may go that route. My nephew is a Merc tech. He lives in Lake Havasu AZ and my boat is there now too. Anyway, we are discussing the JR repair, I think he sees it as Mickey Mouse and he doesn't want my boat to look like a hatchet job. I, on the other hand, am trying to convince him to specialize in this repair for Havasu, where there are more Bravo's per capita than I can imagine anywhere, along with a bunch of bad gimbal rings. In the meantime I want my boat fixed, so I may buy that A14 ring as long as I can decide by tomorrow morning . . . :% 8)