Gimbel Bearing

[neyc]

Just got a call from the marina the put the boat in that the starboard engine was making a strange noise. He thinks it is the gimbel bearing. I called the dealer and let him know, he will have someone down today to look at it. The worst part is the marina can't haul out for two weeks.
We had the drives serviced last year at haul-out.

This is a new boat, commissioned last year in July.

Anyone know if this is a common thing. The vessel is still under warranty.
Any advice would be great.

 

[NoWakey]

I doubt that a gimbal bearing will be considered under warranty.
Don't kill the messenger but most gimbal bearing failures are as a result of running the drive at too high of a trim angle.
It does stink that they can't get on the project any sooner. I'm sure that you are very anxious to get out and start enjoying the season. Good luck!

Cheers,

Jim

 

[gerryb]

Our gimbal bearing went at the 22 month mark and it was covered by warranty but I had to fight for that coverage...It would have been $1,000 or so for each drive (they replaced both bearings, btw). The other major problem is that it took 5 weeks to get the problem resolved (parts, wrangling with Mercruiser re warranty, scheduling it during busy spring recommissioning, etc.)! My advise is to have a meeting with the guy at your dealer who deals with warranty issues and get him to like you. This one guy may be the difference - it was in my case - as he went to bat for me with the manufacturer.

Good luck.

 

[beachcombersc]

I doubt that a gimbal bearing will be considered under warranty.
Don't kill the messenger but most gimbal bearing failures are as a result of running the drive at too high of a trim angle.
It does stink that they can't get on the project any sooner. I'm sure that you are very anxious to get out and start enjoying the season. Good luck!

Cheers,

Jim

There are a number of don't do's that can attribute to failed gimbal bearings. Flooding the bilge with rain water, Torn/leaking boots, misalignment of engines are also common... Good luck with it.... Gimble bearings will "talk" more when drives are turned fully to both sides. In, or out of gear... As far as warrentee, I would push that hard!!!

 

[SR Tech]

^^+1

Easy way to check, run it up hit that spot where the noise is the loudest and use a grease gun and pump bearing grease into the zirk.

If it quiets down then yes, you need a bearing.

But you can't do that with the boat in the water:smt009