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Replacing Gimbal steering seal?!

J

JGHughett

New member
Stupid question, it is possible to replace the gimbal steering arm seal without pulling components of the drive or engine?

Normally you’d have to remove the drive. Remove bellows, remove rigging. Potentially engine. All to drop that steering pin enough to press in the water seal.

Has anyone found a way to do so without removing “anything”.

It slipped through the cracks and I missed it upon reassembly following the manual. Please help!!! Will be hours and hours to mend.
 
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An alternative..., 'Though some people love the following idea to repair that area, others truly do not...It becomes up to you and possibly the overall value of the boat and the way it is maintained during service as some mentioned in the YouTube comments that you may want to glance over before deciding.


Also check the Gimbel Ring Videos in which are YouTube videos if you click on them further to make your decision after reading comments.

Or there's MerCruiser part number 22-88847. It is used to plug the (2) access holes which get drilled at the top of the gimbal housing for removing the gimbal ring. These are sold in a package of (1) each.

Mercury Quicksilver 22-88847A 1 - Plug Kit

Visit MarineEngine.com for Mercury Quicksilver 22-88847A 1 - Plug Kit 16005 price, stock and delivery options to order online.
www.marineengine.com www.marineengine.com
 
Fun Times said:
An alternative..., 'Though some people love the following idea to repair that area, others truly do not...It becomes up to you and possibly the overall value of the boat and the way it is maintained during service as some mentioned in the YouTube comments that you may want to glance over before deciding.


Also check the Gimbel Ring Videos in which are YouTube videos if you click on them further to make your decision after reading comments.

Or there's MerCruiser part number 22-88847. It is used to plug the (2) access holes which get drilled at the top of the gimbal housing for removing the gimbal ring. These are sold in a package of (1) each.

Mercury Quicksilver 22-88847A 1 - Plug Kit

Visit MarineEngine.com for Mercury Quicksilver 22-88847A 1 - Plug Kit 16005 price, stock and delivery options to order online.
www.marineengine.com www.marineengine.com
Click to expand...
You’re a god send. This will most probably be my best option
 
My steering lever has some slop in it so I'm looking at the same thing in the near future so I'm tracking along with this thread. My question is this...I see how those kits would allow release of the steering lever and the gimbal ring but does that also enable the upper swivel shaft bushings/seals to be removed? I'm having trouble seeing how.
 
Mark S. said:
My steering lever has some slop in it so I'm looking at the same thing in the near future so I'm tracking along with this thread. My question is this...I see how those kits would allow release of the steering lever and the gimbal ring but does that also enable the upper swivel shaft bushings/seals to be removed? I'm having trouble seeing how.
Click to expand...
Step 13 mentions: Remove swivel shaft. Replace bushings and seal, re-install Gimbal Ring with new JR Marine High Performance Swivel Shaft and tighten to OEM specifications.

Depending on your boat year / transom assembly serial number, it’s helpful to follow the Mercruiser service manual along with the instructions from JR marine as there’s a section in the manual that covers the replacement parts of this area in question and I believe the guy in the video goes over the process too.

Either service manual number 11, 28 or 39 would be the ones to use for a bravo stern drive application.

When testing the side to side motion, also check with the engine running.
 
Mark S. said:
My steering lever has some slop in it so I'm looking at the same thing in the near future so I'm tracking along with this thread. My question is this...I see how those kits would allow release of the steering lever and the gimbal ring but does that also enable the upper swivel shaft bushings/seals to be removed? I'm having trouble seeing how.
Click to expand...
Hey Mark,
Just finished screwing with this. Go to JR marines website and find their videos for installing their kit. Good videos.

Things you’ll need to watch out for:

Gimbal ring being stretched(need a new one cuz it won’t tighten down)
Needing a new u bolt and nuts. Do this regardless.
Learn from me…. Use JR marines swivel pin kit.

MAKE SURE YOU INTSALL THE WATER SEAL😂 any other thrust washers and such are minimal compared to the water seal.

Then afterwards: do your bellows. To be honest do them if they have more than a few hours on them. Good luck getting worn ones on properly. At least the u joint bellows(really the only stretch affected one).
 
JGHughett said:
Hey Mark,
Just finished screwing with this. Go to JR marines website and find their videos for installing their kit. Good videos.

Things you’ll need to watch out for:

Gimbal ring being stretched(need a new one cuz it won’t tighten down)
Needing a new u bolt and nuts. Do this regardless.
Learn from me…. Use JR marines swivel pin kit.

MAKE SURE YOU INTSALL THE WATER SEAL😂 any other thrust washers and such are minimal compared to the water seal.

Then afterwards: do your bellows. To be honest do them if they have more than a few hours on them. Good luck getting worn ones on properly. At least the u joint bellows(really the only stretch affected one).
Click to expand...
Hey thanks good info. That may be more surgery that I want to do at present. I intend to get through this season then evaluate.
 
A lot of surgery and a lot of patience. That coming from a marine tech. Even I hate doing it. Follow the step by step thought and you’ll be fine once you get through the season
 
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