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Gimbal Bearing

A bad gimbal bearing can cause lots of expensive damage. It can destroy your gimbal, drive and/or drive coupler.

You can usually tell that your gimbal bearing is failing by the noise it makes. A bad gimbal bearing will make a "growling" noise when you turn the drive from one side to the other. If you hear a growl when turning to one side, chances are very good that you have a bad gimbal bearing.

The sterndrive unit must be removed to inspect or replace the gimbal bearing.

Gimbal bearings usually fail because of water intrusion into the ujoint bellows. Ripped or rotten ujoint bellows will allow water to leak in and rust the bearing. There must be no water in the bellows. If you have found water in the bellows the source must be found and repaired. Water can also enter the bellows if you get too much water in the bilge. Be aware that it's useless to replace the gimbal bearing if there is still a water leak. The water will simply destroy the new gimbal bearing.

Read more about replacing your Alpha One gimbal bearing and ujoint bellows here.
Read more about replacing your Alpha Gen II gimbal bearing and ujoint bellows here.
Read more about replacing your Bravo gimbal bearing and ujoint bellows here.

Most pre-alpha, Alpha One, Alpha Gen II and standard Bravo Gimbals all use the same Gimbal Bearing.
XR Bravo drives use a special gimbal bearing with a larger center race.

             

Order Now:
Part 30-60794A4 Standard Gimbal Bearing ( changes to 879194A02) $115.00

Part 30-862540A3 XR Bravo Gimbal Bearing ( changes to 879194A01) $118.00

Special Tools are required to remove and replace the Gimbal Bearing.
A slide hammer with triple inverted jaws works best to remove the old bearing.
It grabs the inner race from the front side and allows for relatively easy removal
There is a set of three tools used to install the new gimbal bearing.
Below is a complete list of tools required to replace the gimbal bearing.

Order Now:
91-34569A1 Slide Hammer Kit
91-37323 Driver Rod
91-32325T Driver Head
91-30366T1 Mandrel Head

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