Volvo Penta gimbal, u-joint and bellows replacement

[twaterski]

I have a '95 3.0 GS Volvo Penta with an SX outdrive. When I purchased the boat, I recognized a solid "thunk!" when putting the boat in forward or reverse and negotiated a decent price realizing there would be some repair costs. Just after the purchase, I found that the frond engine mount lag bolts were stripped out. After some fiberglass, resin, redrill and longer lags, that problem is fixed.

Still the "thunk!" when shifting. Last fall, I pulled the outdrive and found the gimball had a lot of fore-aft slop. Also, the u-joint was sloppy, and wet. When I purchased the boat, there was no water in the bilge. Throughout the summer, I noticed more and more bilge water.

So, for this spring, my project will be to replace the u-joint and gimball. I am also considering replacing the bellows, shift cable, and engine coupler. I have a repair manual, need an alignment tool and slide hammer.

This should be a fun project, a learning project. Any lessons learned would be helpful. I will keep you posted with updates.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta gimbal, u-joint and bellows replacement

You say "Gimbal" a couple different times, but it sounds like you are talking about two different things. Basically, there is no such thing as a Gimbal back there, you have a gimbal bearing, a gimbal ring, and some call the transom shield a gimbal housing.
So what has back and forth slop and what are you replacing?

 

[twaterski]

Re: Volvo Penta gimbal, u-joint and bellows replacement

You say "Gimbal" a couple different times, but it sounds like you are talking about two different things. Basically, there is no such thing as a Gimbal back there, you have a gimbal bearing, a gimbal ring, and some call the transom shield a gimbal housing.
So what has back and forth slop and what are you replacing?

My apoligies for lack of clarity. The gimbal bearing is sloppy.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Volvo Penta gimbal, u-joint and bellows replacement

Alignment tool,e-bay.
Slide hammer.GET A GOOOOD ONE.
A cheapo might work but Snap-on or Mac tools have the good stuff.
Even then it can be a bugger.
Pics always help.

 

[TregoMark]

Re: Volvo Penta gimbal, u-joint and bellows replacement

I replaced my gimbal bearing and u-joints last spring in my 2000 3.0 GS. To remove the gimbal bearing, I rented/bought a slide hammer from my local auto parts store. Took about three knocks and it was out. I then installed the new bearing using a very large socket. My new bearing was sealed, so I didn't have to line up the grease hole.

I removed the pinion bearing carrier from the outdrive and then the u-joint was separated from the pinion bearing carrier. I replaced the seals on the carrier because they were worn and letting water into the outdrive. I then took the new volvo u-joint (man that was pricy) back to the shop where I bought it and had them install the u-joint onto the pinion bearing carrier. It seemed like a tricky job and I figured I'd have someone with experience install it. They also aligned my gimbal bearing in about 5 seconds which would have taken me hours of frustrated cursing. They did those two things for $20 because I bought the parts from them. I figured it was the best $20 I've spent in a while.

I then installed the pinion bearing carrier/u-joint into the outdrive (with the new gaskets) and bolted on the outdrive after greasing the u-joint splines. New bellows were installed and everything torqued down. I saved money by doing most of the work myself, but I would recommend having a trusted shop install the u-joint to the carrier and do the alignment.