Mercruiser gimbal bearing stuck should I replace transom assembly

[Btj]

Help, rented a slide hammer to remove gimbal bearing but it will not budge. Question is should I keep trying even though I have a newer parts boat that has a complete stern drive that I plan to switch out anyways? Is it absolutely nessasary to remove the engine to get the whole transom plate/gimbal bearing off. Help me please, I'm at the end of my ropes.
Thanks for all the help ASAP

 

[cr2k]

Re: Mercruiser gimbal bearing stuck should I replace transom assembly

Yes you must remove the engine as it mounts to the inside transom plate. You will need to get an alignment bar after all is changed.

 

[achris]

Re: Mercruiser gimbal bearing stuck should I replace transom assembly

What year is the transom assembly you're working on?Early ones had a cir-clip holding the gimbal bearing in.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Mercruiser gimbal bearing stuck should I replace transom assembly

Read this- Scroll down to post#23
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=364003

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser gimbal bearing stuck should I replace transom assembly

Is it absolutely nessasary to remove the engine to get the whole transom plate off.

Ayuh,.... Yes, Absolutely, the motor is sitting On it...

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Mercruiser gimbal bearing stuck should I replace transom assembly

You might want to get a threaded puller rather than the slide hammer. It may be able to break the bearing loose better than the 'hammer'

 

[Btj]

Re: Mercruiser gimbal bearing stuck should I replace transom assembly

Bearing will not bulge despite everything I've tried. It almost looks as if the bearing is stuck behind the transom assembly. Could that be possible?

 

[makonnen]

Re: Mercruiser gimbal bearing stuck should I replace transom assembly

Not really possible, there is a huge lip where the bearing bottoms out.

I'm sure its tight, but you can get it out. There is some technique to using a slide hammer, its not all just Neanderthal brute force.

1. Get the biggest slide hammer you can find / buy / borrow, then get a bigger one
2. Wear a good thick set of welder gloves
3. Wear good shoes
4. Have a nice wide stance, be comfortable
5. Apply backward force to take up the slack in the slide hammer
6. Chug 10oz of expresso and one Monster energy drink, chase with Gatorade
7. Play Eye of the Tiger (song)
8. GIVE'ER
9. GIVE'ER again
10. Repeat steps 8 - 9

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Mercruiser gimbal bearing stuck should I replace transom assembly

Bearing will not bulge despite everything I've tried. It almost looks as if the bearing is stuck behind the transom assembly. Could that be possible?

Did you click on that link I gave you? It is another thread from another person who also couldn't get theirs out. Post# 23 in that link will show you how to do it, and not with a slide hammer.

See top right corner of this post, I'm post #9 of your thread.

 

[mxcobra]

Re: Mercruiser gimbal bearing stuck should I replace transom assembly

haha

Not really possible, there is a huge lip where the bearing bottoms out.

I'm sure its tight, but you can get it out. There is some technique to using a slide hammer, its not all just Neanderthal brute force.

1. Get the biggest slide hammer you can find / buy / borrow, then get a bigger one
2. Wear a good thick set of welder gloves
3. Wear good shoes
4. Have a nice wide stance, be comfortable
5. Apply backward force to take up the slack in the slide hammer
6. Chug 10oz of expresso and one Monster energy drink, chase with Gatorade
7. Play Eye of the Tiger (song)
8. GIVE'ER
9. GIVE'ER again
10. Repeat steps 8 - 9