Remove Mercruiser alpha / bravo outdrive gimbal bearing - DIY

If interested in purchasing this product, visit our Amazon affiliate link below. I earn from qualifying purchases.
Clamp set: amzn.to/45UKgnS
Removal/alignment tool: amzn.to/455xUbm
Exhaust bellow install tool: amzn.to/3EKIQQG
Bellows replacement kit: amzn.to/3RL7h8v
Outdrive gasket kit: amzn.to/3rb5HBR
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1. Replace Mercruiser alpha one gen 1(2) bellows - PART 1
• Replace Mercruiser alp...
😎👍

[@DIYwithMichaelBorders]

If interested in purchasing this product, visit our Amazon affiliate link below. I earn from qualifying purchases.
Clamp set: amzn.to/45UKgnS
Removal/alignment tool: amzn.to/455xUbm
Exhaust bellow install tool: amzn.to/3EKIQQG
Bellows replacement kit: amzn.to/3RL7h8v
Outdrive gasket kit: amzn.to/3rb5HBR
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1. Replace Mercruiser alpha one gen 1(2) bellows - PART 1
ruclips.net/video/NcObTOYXtQM/видео.html
😎👍

[@davestewart9146]

It’s all in the right tools, I really like the hose clamp tip, thanks Michael 👍😁

[@DIYwithMichaelBorders]

So true, having the right tools makes or breaks the forward motion of a DIY project.
Thanks Dave. ☕️

[@mlbowdish123]

Nice work Mike!

[@DIYwithMichaelBorders]

Thank you, many more to follow.
👍

[@markbailey6051]

Notice that the barring comes with the barring carrier. The barring carrier is designed to stay in place and the barring is designed to pivot 90 degrees and slid out of the carrier slots. If you are lucky enough to have the carrier installed by the guy before you with the slots facing aft, then just buy the barring and leave the carrier alone. If the barring comes with the carrier, remove the barring from the carrier and install in your existing carrier. The carrier allows the barring to pivot, this allows the drive shaft the ability to align properly. If you are replacing the barring
You should be replacing the billows.

[@DIYwithMichaelBorders]

Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts, always welcome here.
Very nicely explained and below is a link to our video explaining the design and purpose of the gimbal bearing.
ruclips.net/video/9ldJkatOL78/видео.htmlsi=Vn0EMwyICIErBwTO
You get to see us moving the bearing all around in its race. Engineering at its finest. 👍🧰

[@PaulDudek]

I am doing the same project on a 4.3 1989 GEN, one alpha one and I can’t find the serial number to get the exact maintenance manual for all the right part numbers that I’m gonna need any ideas?

[@DIYwithMichaelBorders]

@@PaulDudek
Thanks for watching, any update? The serial number can also be found on a sticker or placard placed on the inboard engine.
Worst case scenario, you will have to remove a decal or two from the outdrive where you will find serial number.
If that ends up being what you have to do, we have attached a video below that shows us installing brand new decals to our outdrive.
1. Remove and install new decals.
ruclips.net/video/ER525zAx1CY/видео.htmlsi=1xOC-hJZCw2t9w30
2. Punching serial number into new decals.
ruclips.net/video/oIrUUsHeH6w/видео.htmlsi=kg-KT6xTluADxKbb
😁👍🧰

[@njsford4life]

Need help diagnosing. Have a mercruiser alpha one gen 1. Gave it some throttle and it felt like it was dragging. Low power. Almost like a car with a slipping transmission. Any advice is that appreciated!

[@PBinns2]

Sounds like a bad drive coupler. I've never had one myself but am told it will often smell like burning rubber in the engine bay.

[@njsford4life]

@@PBinns2 turned out to be the carburetor

[@davidjessee7701]

Or you could get a 3 jaw puller and a slide hammer and pull the old gimble bearing out.. then use the correct bearing driver and a hammer and drive the new bearing in till it bottoms out! No need to mark … make sure you align the grease hole on the bearing with the grease fitting to grease the gimbal bearing.. if not it will not accept grease from the zirk fitting

[@DIYwithMichaelBorders]

@@davidjessee7701
Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. 😁👍🧰

[@inthenameofmyfather3836]

should the new gimbal bearing be tight so that you cant turn it with your fingers after install? thanks

[@DIYwithMichaelBorders]

Thanks for watching, it should be tough to move or rotate after install. 👍

[@shawn_hu]

is this gimble bearing supoose to be service free?

[@DIYwithMichaelBorders]

Good morning, that’s the design indeed. The newly designed sealed bearing will not require routine maintenance/greasing.

[@Mbrown553]

Was your bearing hard to.spin after replacing it?

[@DIYwithMichaelBorders]

Thanks for watching, it will be a bit tough to spin by hand however not too tough. Once bearing is installed into cavity/bore, it adds a tiny level of compression to carrier however shouldn’t impede on the operation of bearing.
We have added a video discussing more about the gimbal bearing. You may find it helpful, you may not.
ruclips.net/video/9ldJkatOL78/видео.htmlsi=3ndhplOoSCqU_ooq
Keep us posted with your DIY project.

[@Mbrown553]

@DIYwithMichaelBorders okay that's what I figured. I put the shift in it and it spins freely. The motor goes back in tomorrow. I replaced the old locked up motor with a reman 3.0L and the lower unit due to a cracked case. Upper unit was in good shape. I only decided to do the gimbal bearing to get a sealed unit in there to avoid worrying about keeping the greased older unit full of grease. Thanks again for the attention to detail. P.s I found a copy of the service manual online for free somehow.

[@DIYwithMichaelBorders]

@@Mbrown553
That’s awesome, sounds like you’ve been busy. Great idea replacing gimbal bearing, adds peace-of-mind knowing you have a brand new bearing.