Ouch!! Worn Gimbel Ring

[gbolton]

I took my boat in for Winterization, Oil Change, Impeller replacement, and an Engine alignment check last week. I just bought this boat this year and wanted to have it all checked out. I immediately got a call that same day saying my Gimbel ring was worn and needed to be replaced. The cost $1600. Ouch!!!! I did go back to the mechanic and he did show me the problem. The square fitting on top of the gimbel ring was rounded out and there was a lot of play when you moved the outdrive back and forth.

What causes the gimbel ring to wear out? I would like to know so this doesnt happen again.

The mechanic also stated that my impeller only had three of the eight pieces. Really glad I had this replaced. Question: What happened with the five missing pieces of the impeller?
Where do those pieces get stuck at or do they get flushed out?

Now I know why they told me the other definition of B.O.A.T. (Break Out Another Thousand)

Well, at least next year, my boat should be good to go.. (Hopefully)

 

[ghuskin]

gbolton,

I feel your pain! we had purchased our boat this summer, and after about 2 wks notice that the temp was running a bit high. took it in for the impeller replacement and $3900 later had a totally rebuilt alpha1. Bellows was shot, gimbal bearing shot, driveshaft/bearings almost shot.

I am no expert, but from what I have learned hear is that these are normal wear items that require constant attention and frequent replacement.

And "yes" the impeller parts got sucked out, or they just disintegrated.

Impellers need replacing after approx. 2 seasons, depending upon usage.

Now we are good to go...

 

[Asureyez]

Hi GBolton,

Repeated throughout these threads is the admonition to never buy a boat without a survey. How this repair could have been avoided as to have found the problem(s) before you bought ... and made the seller repair them on their nickel.

 

[osd9]

.........and "yes" the impeller parts got sucked out, or they just disintegrated...............

Not so quick there....I'm not very familar with your setup, but if you have a closed cooling system, and a heat exchanger downstream of your impeller housing, you may want to spend some time taking the end caps off and fishing for impeller parts. Also, you may have a power steering cooler, oil cooler, etc, downstream of the impeller. Once again, you may want to remove those hoses that are going into the coolers and fish for impeller parts.

What you need to do is trace you raw water flow down stream of the impeller. Look for anything that the impeller pieces could be stuck in and remove the hose at that point and go impeller part fishing.

Hopefully others with your same engine/drive/cooling system will chime in and offer more help....

good luck..

 

[Dave S]

Talk to your mechanic about the missing vanes on your impeller. He may have found them and removed them. If he didn't look for the missing pieces then there is a possiblility they are lodged somwhere in your cooling system. I am betting he located them and removed them.

As far as the gimball bearing goes, if they are not greased regularly or if your engine is out of alignment, they will fail. They will also fail because of water leaks in the outdrive. That's why I have my outdrive pulled annually and the engine alignment checked. At the same time they can look for any signs of water intrusion and lubricate everything.

 

[ghuskin]

osd9,

Please forgive me, but I did preface in my message that "I am no expert"...

Thank you for correcting me.

 

[gbolton]

Thanks for the replies. I will talk to my mechanic on the missing vanes of the impeller.
I will also have my alignment and impeller checked/changed each season.
The alignment was also off slightly. This may have been the cause for the worn gimbel ring.
There was one good thing out of this. Since the lower unit was pulled off the boat, I had a chance to take it home and sanded/repainted the lower unit. It looks a whole lot better now. The previous owner left the boat in the water frequently from what I could tell. Now it looks brand new.

 

[keokie]

A few things... Definitely look for the pieces of your impeller. They are likely in an oil, power steering, fuel cooler etc. Also, gimbals fail primarily because most people never torque the two bolts on the top of the gimbal (55ft lbs.) Also, do not feel bad about the survey. Even though it is simple to evaluate a gimbal, I've never know a surveyor to check it.

On another note, I would be very concerned if your mechanic does not know the vanes of the imppeler are likely still in the system, and if he did not tell you about torqing the gimbal.

 

[gbolton]

A few things... Definitely look for the pieces of your impeller. They are likely in an oil, power steering, fuel cooler etc. Also, gimbals fail primarily because most people never torque the two bolts on the top of the gimbal (55ft lbs.) Also, do not feel bad about the survey. Even though it is simple to evaluate a gimbal, I've never know a surveyor to check it.

On another note, I would be very concerned if your mechanic does not know the vanes of the imppeler are likely still in the system, and if he did not tell you about torqing the gimbal.

I just talked with him. He is barely starting the Gimbel ring replacement now. He did clear the vanes from the Fuel cooler and is aware of the torquing specification. He just hadnt told me yet. The mechanic I took my boat to has a great reputation here in Memphis and this is the first time he has seen this boat, since I just bought it this year.
Thanks for the replies. I am now more educated on my boat.

 

[Dave M.]

As far as the gimball bearing goes, if they are not greased regularly or if your engine is out of alignment, they will fail. They will also fail because of water leaks in the outdrive. That's why I have my outdrive pulled annually and the engine alignment checked. At the same time they can look for any signs of water intrusion and lubricate everything.

There are two different issue here. What Dave says for the gimbal bearing is correct, but as I understand it, the failed part is the upper swivel pin of the gimbal ring. Doing the maintenance Dave lists is needed, but won't prevent swivel pin problems. That is a totally different issue. Mercruiser apparently did not provide access to the bolts on hold the steering arm to the swivel pin in all cases. If you have two plugs, one on each side near the top of the outdrive, then these plug holes that are drilled to gain access to the bolt and nut that holds the steering arm to the swivel pin. If play develops at the swivel pin to steering arm connection, it will only get worse with wear over time. You can check it by having someone inside the boat watch or feel the steering arm while someone outside moves the outdrive from side to side. If the outdrive will move with no movement of the steering arm, then you have an issue.

 

[gbolton]

There are two different issue here. What Dave says for the gimbal bearing is correct, but as I understand it, the failed part is the upper swivel pin of the gimbal ring. QUOTE]

That is correct Dave. Thanks for the clarification. I now have the two plugs on the top of the outdrive (gimbel ring).

I got my boat back last week. My mechanic completed the work in 2 days.
Now, I just have to wait until next spring before I can enjoy it again....