Bravo 1 bellows/gimbal bearing brand suggestions...

[fourbucks]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and have been bit by the boating bug again so here I am gearing up for this summer. I have an '89 Sorrento 230 with a 454 Mag and Bravo 1 OD. I am going to be replacing the u-joints, bellows, and gimbal bearing before we hit the water. My question is if anyone has any unbiased suggestions as to what brand of replacement parts to use. I see prices all over the place and don't know which parts to go with. Ideally I would like to go with true Mercruiser parts but if I can save a coupe hundred $ on another brand that is just as good then great. That's just more fuel in the tank!!! I see SEI brand for cheap but I have a gut feeling to avoid that brand for some reason with no previous experience with them. Any advice, suggestions, or experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advnce!

 

[Bt Doctur]

I sell Sierra parts and find them to be just as good as the factory parts
A transom seal kit 18-82121
HD U joints 18-2174

 

[BillK2632]

I replaced my bellows, shift cable and trim senders last year with Sierra parts. No problems at all, have also used Sierra water pumps and various other parts - never a problem. Typically run 20-30% below OEM.

 

[fourbucks]

Thanks for the feedback. I see the part number for the u-joints as being 18-2104 instead of the 18-2174 BT Doctur when cross referenced with the part number the local marina gave me... Which one would be the correct number and would you be interested in helping me out with these parts BT? Also, I need the gimbal bearing alignment/install tool or is that just something I should get elsewhere? I know one can be made and I have a good bit of experience making specialty tools but would rather have the proper tool simplicity and accuracy...

 

[SloBurn]

+1 on the Sierra parts, I use them all the time, no issues. I also have a SEI outdrive, works well so far.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Either one is sufficient, as far as the newer alignment bar check with your local boaters or a tool rental outfit. Ebay is another source. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mercruiser+alignment+bar

 

[BlewByYou88]

Weather the gimbal bearing comes from Merc or Sierra, I believe only two companies manufacture them. SKF and Link-Belt.

 

[fourbucks]

Thank you everybody. The parts have been ordered and most of them are already here (still waiting on U-joints). With any luck I will get the boat out of storage, washed, new batteries installed and the OD off and gimbal replaced this weekend! That's a rather large order to fill given everything else we have going on but what's life without goals???