Pre alpha gimbal bearing replacement. How to put back in????

[Fordiesel69]

Drive is a 1977 Merc Pre Alpha 165HP.

Local mechanics are booked tight with de-winterizing. So it looks like I am going to do it myself.

I can rent the slide hammer from autozone, and most likely figure out how to pull it out, but how about driving it back in? What kind of home made tools will work to drive it back in?

Lastly, a local mechanic said pre alpha bearings fall apart when you side hammer them out, and then the engine has to be pulled, is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening?

 

[Don S]

Re: Pre alpha gimbal bearing replacement. How to put back in????

Here is a link to the OEM service manual you can download for free.
http://www.4shared.com/document/3AHpVLYw/Service_Manual_02.html

Lastly, a local mechanic said pre alpha bearings fall apart when you side hammer them out, and then the engine has to be pulled, is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening?

Do not listen to that guy, he has no idea what he is talking about.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Pre alpha gimbal bearing replacement. How to put back in????

The pre (77) and alpha bearings have the same part #. Get the big slide hammer and also the axle bearing puller kit. Try to not pull the grease seal out with the bearing. Good luck

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Pre alpha gimbal bearing replacement. How to put back in????

Ok, I think I can get the bearing out as long as it is not corroded in place. How do I get it back in without buying an expensive tool. Over year ago I read on here how somone made their own. Was too long ago to remember.

 

[Don S]

Re: Pre alpha gimbal bearing replacement. How to put back in????

Have you looked up in the adults only sticky?

 

[Gohot]

Re: Pre alpha gimbal bearing replacement. How to put back in????

A TRICK..... I had an old Mopar distributor housing that was gutted and not going to be used again so it was just a bare housing. I used it to pound in and seat the gimbal bearing and also the seal behind it. It fits perfectly to the outer portion of the bearing so no presure or shock is used on the ID of the bearing, worked perfect, and is now my alpha 1 gimbal and seal tool

 

[dingdongs]

Re: Pre alpha gimbal bearing replacement. How to put back in????

try here;http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=364003&highlight=gimbal+bearing+defeated

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Pre alpha gimbal bearing replacement. How to put back in????

Done!!!!!!!

I am super lucky that the previous owner put the new slot style bearing in. I just knocked it sideways and pulled it out. Then the new one went in very easy and took grease right away. Quiet as can be. The other bearing was also like new, but they hit the wrong part of the bearing and pushed the metal oil ring into the rollers thus destorying the bearing. All around everything has worked out for me on this boat!!!!!