I decided to change the gimbal bearing and Ujoint my self...

P

ProfitOfDoom

New Member
Jan 7, 2010
188
Eastlake,OH
Boat Info
1987 268 Sundancer
Engines
454 Mercruiser/Bravo Three
Well I read around and even had another post on here and people agree if you have the right tools and are some what mechanically inclined It could be done fairly easy. I figured the parts should should run me just under $300 which includes the bearing,U-joint and gasket kit.
I called 2 marine shops near me and they gave me ballpark figure ranging from $500-$700 to change out the ujoint and bearing. So I think im going to take a chance at it. I wont be working on it till late april early may so Im taking this time to order part by part and buying tools I might need.
First off can someone tell me where the cheapest place is to order parts "bearing,gaskets,U-joint, These are for a Bravo 3 are these parts pretty standard as Im not 100% sure on what year drive I got?
I was also told I would need a slide hammer with pulling jaws to remove the bearing would this kit serve me well?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OTC-...Z110541919813QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools
Also I need some tool to tap it back in evenly im unsure on what this tool is called,anyone know where to get one of these?
Other then that I think thats all I needed,If you can think of anything else I would need to complete this job,have tips or tricks please share or if I need any type of lube,sealant,other tools etc please let me know,Thanks!
 
The more I read the more I get unsure of my self :smt101
Not as far as doing the job myself,but as far as the gimbal/Ujoint is actually the problem?
The noise I read about for a gimbal bearin is always described as a growling,grinding. The noise I get is more of a chatter,knocking,maybe ticking sound and its not severe but you can hear it when it is fully turned one way or the other.
I read some google searches and found a artical similar to my sound and some guy said it sounds more like a U-joint then a bearing,Sound like it?
When I pull this apart would you be able to see if the Ujoint has slop by moving it around by hand?
I mean once I have it apart im replacing both Ujoint and bearing,But I have a past of doing and completing jobs pretty good only to find I fixed the wrong things.
Could this knocking/ticking noise be that the gimbal is on its way to growling and grinding and just not that far gone yet,or more then likely the U-joint?
 
FYI - Those slide pullers usually can be rented from Pep Boys, Autozone, etc for free.

Doug
 
Yea im pretty sure I can rent one at my local autopart store.
I would just like to get one as I could have used one earlier this year,Just thought it might be nice to have one around.
But yes I will rent one if money gets tight,which Im sure it will :(
But can anyone chime in on the noise I hear,Does it sound like the gimbal or Ujoint?
Also how often do U joints last in a bravo 3, This will be my 2nd season starting up this spring and not sure when they were last in but for $120.00 a Ujoint these things better last for Years and years. But im not entirely sure I need them,Hopefully when I pull the drive I will be able to see visible wear or feel some play?
Can anyone post pics or know things that wil work for tapping the gimbal back in?
Quint4 said he rented a mandrel,I googled it and seen nothing that looked like what he used? Also someone said they used a PVC pipe and I heard of other homemade things that would work.
 
Your boat is over 20yrs old. Replace everything while you have it all tore apart...trust me, regardless of what is making the noise. U-joint crosses are only $35-40 bucks each and a gimbal bearing is about $60.
As I said in my post referenced above, I rented the mandrel from Autozone you may also check Harbor Freight. My gimbal repair post also has a pic of the mandrel being used to install the gimbal bearing.
 
Last edited:
Quint4 said:
Your boat is over 20yrs old. Replace everything while you have it all tore apart...trust me, regardless of what is making the noise. U-joint crosses are only $35-40 bucks each and a gimbal bearing is about $60.
As I said in my post referenced above, I rented the mandrel from Autozone you may also check Harbor Freight. My gimbal repair post also has a pic of the mandrel being used to install the gimbal bearing.
Click to expand...

I agree, change all, you never know what will fail next. stay ahead of the game....
Good luck.....:thumbsup:
 
ProfitOfDoom said:
..The noise I get is more of a chatter,knocking,maybe ticking sound and its not severe but you can hear it when it is fully turned one way or the other..
Click to expand...

Could be the exhaust flapper. I chased a similar ticking sound throughout my outdrive. Had it pulled and inspected. Nothing. After some additional research I have ofund that the plactic coating on the exhaust flapper comes off which causes a ticking sounds in time with the engine. Never fixed it. That was three years ago.
 
Profit,

I experienced the same clicking sound when turning as you describe. This was an alpha 1 and not a Bravo III. I replaced the U joints and that corrected the problem. Yes, when you do get the yoke out you will "feel" the U joints wobble if that is the problem.

Nevertheless, I agree with others here, you are already in there, replace everything.

Also, keep in mind the bravo III is an extremely heavy lower unit. Be careful.

Barefoot
 
Yea I hope changing the joints and bearing will solve my problem. If I decide to do the Driveshaft bellow how does that bell housing come off,just the 2 screws on the side that require that special tool? But I will see how it looks before I decide on that.
Another question is where is a good online place to order my parts through?
Also I was reading about Ujoints and I ran across a forum where they have 2 different kinds one has the grease fitting and one has orange rings that doesnt need to be greased. Is this a option on what U-joints you want to buy or do some B3's require a certain one? Im not sure on what one is in there till I crack it open but I was just curious.
 
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