Mercruiser has changed gimbal designs throughout the years.
These include steering shaft and hinge pin updates.
The Alpha One was an improved design over the older pre-Alpha units.
Changes included going from a splined upper steering shaft to a square upper steering shaft.
Other changes included threaded hinge pins, improved trim gauge and trim limit sending units, stronger gimbal rings,
larger diameter water intake hoses and improved trim cylinders and bushings.
Before ordering parts for your Alpha One Gimbal, try to identify your unit.
We use such clues as: serial number, model year, color, number of hoses to each trim cylinder,
reverse lock system, whether there is a pre-load pin on top of the lower driveshaft, number
of splines on lower driveshaft, material of water pump base, whether there is a nut holding the
small bearing on to the top shaft, appearence of top cap and more.
Rebuilding or Repairing a gimbal housing can be a difficult endeavor, however, we have numerous customers
who successfully complete all kinds of repairs at a great savings.
Most customers start by buying a Service Manual.
Manuals are used on a regular basis even by our most experienced Mercruiser Techs. The manuals show all the procedures and
they have a list of the special tools required to complete the job if required. It's a great idea to have a manual even
if you don't perform the repair yourself because you can get a good idea as to what your tech should be doing.
Sticking with Factory Mercruiser Transom (Gimbal) Parts only makes sense.
Sure, we could sell the cheaper aftermarket stuff too.
We don't like to sell aftermarket but we realize that some suckers
just feel better buying the cheaper stuff.
It's true. You get what you pay for.
If you buy the cheap crap, then don't whine when you have problems.
Mercruiser stands behind their products because they know that
having a defective Mercruiser U-Joint bellows is virtually unheard of.
Your transom assembly is subject to severe stress and abuse even while
running under normal operating conditions.
A faulty transom component could sink your boat or cause other damage or injuries.
Have it inspected on a regular basis by a Certified Mercruiser Tech.
Please note that we also handle all the gimbal ring kits and update kits.
30-803097T1 Transom Seal Kit (Fits R, MR and Alpha One w/exh bellows) $263.00
30-803098T1 Transom Seal Kit (Fits R, MR and Alpha One w/tube) $280.00
Click here for tools and procedures to replace your bellows.
DID YOU KNOW that Mercruiser now has a new style shift seal for the R, MR and Alpha One?
The shift shaft seal located in the bellhousing would fail and let water into
the shift cable pocket. This water would run up the cable and ruin it.
Open your engine compartment and look at your shift cable attaching plate.
Locate the cable that runs down to the drive and inspect the two side set screws.
These screws lock the core of the cable to the black plastic guide tube.
We sometimes refer to them as the "Frankenstien screws".
They are very small and have square heads. Do the heads look all rusted?
If they are rusted chances are good that your shift shaft seal in your bellhousing
has failed and has allowed water to syphon up the cable.
Read much more about this at Replacing Your Alpha Shift Cable.
Mercury's solution was to improve the shaft seal design.
They now have a beefy brass bushing assembly which works well.
The Kit includes a new lever and set screw as well.
All you do is knock out the old seal and old guide bushing and tap
the new bushing into place with a little locktight.
45518T1 Bushing and Lever Kit $58.00
There are two different sizes of Water Intake Hoses.
Older pre-alpha, MCI and R-style drives used the smaller diameter hose which was 5/8" ID.
Newer Alpha Ones and Gen II's use the larger 3/4" ID hose.
32-41725-33 Water Hose 3/4" $14.00 Fits MR, Alpha One and Gen II
32-32461 Water Hose 5/8" $12.00 Fits MCI, R and early Alpha Ones.
27-94996Q2 Sterndrive Mounting Gasket Set $9.00 Fits MCI, R, Alpha One and Alpha Gen II.
Sterndrives.com can help you select the parts you need.
We have years of experience in accurate parts selection and options and we will be able to narrow down your request.
Simply fill out a Parts Request Email below:
Try to be as complete and specific as possible.
Always include your engine and/or sterndrive serial number whenever possible.
We answer most requests withing an hour or less during normal business hours.
Otherwise, we will respond first thing the next morning.
