Gimball bearing Change - Bravo III

J3ff · May 2020

Okay, since nothing is as simple as it sounds. How many different way's is there to screw up ordering a gimbal bearing? I'm going to have the mechanic do the swap but want to make sure it's the absolute correct one. Sealed/non-sealed? Amazon has one for 50 bucks.

Anyone who's done this have a part number, boat is a 2004, drive appears to be original..you know the rest of the history!

PickleRick · May 2020

I would think id want a greseable one, this is really an @Alswagg question.

I grease mine a few squirts each month during the season.

Since it was replaced 2 season ago ill replace it this fall along with bellows which i do each season along with water pump.

My dad has gone about a decade on his alpha one bellows, impeller and manifolds on his cruiser. He's 100% a dude with a boat. He can do all the repairs, he just gets lazy with age.

Willhound · May 2020

And for $50 I imagine you're only getting the bearing? Don't forget the new seal and the o-ring kit for remounting the drive. You can buy them separate or as a kit.

J3ff · May 2020

Alswagg said:

Bravo gimble bearings are now sealed. Plus the Alpha gen 2 now sealed. This new bearing is much better than the old greasable. We no longer stock the non greasable for any application. We have two units Bravo 1 and a Bravo 2 drive that have over 1000 hrs on the sealed bearing. They seem to be lasting twice to three times as long as the greasable

Got a link to the correct one for the Bravo 3 from 2004

rasbury · May 2020

When I ordered mine I went ahead with the grease fitting as that is what I had- sounds like the wrong decision!

PickleRick · May 2020

I would have thought greasable was better as well.

...the more you know!

RiverRat232 · May 2020

I like watching this guy. He makes things look easy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OZr21WjP40

Kaptain_Ken · May 2020

RiverRat232 said:

I like watching this guy. He makes things look easy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OZr21WjP40

Eddie Marone! He's a local here on the South Shore of Long Island. Good guy.

Kaptain_Ken · May 2020

When I replaced my gimbal bearing with the sealed kind, I also replaced the grease fitting with the mercruiser spec plug. Figured no need to worry about a failed zerk fitting letting salt water into my nice new bearing.

Dream_Inn · May 2020

I've been running sealed gimbal bearings for a couple years now as well. All is well!

Willhound · May 2020

We (mechanic and I) installed a greasable two seasons ago, and although I greased it, it was time again last fall, but it was the seal that failed. Mechanic feels he may have not quite seated it properly on the install. The new one that is being installed (should be today) is the sealed unit. Seems to have a heavier case, I guess because all enclosed.

J3ff · May 2020

sooo anyone have a part number ?

Kaptain_Ken · May 2020

J3ff said:

sooo anyone have a part number ?

Depending on your drive, it's either 30-879194A01 or 30-879194A02. But I recommend you look up your drive serial number and check here https://www.perfprotech.com/mercury-marine-parts-catalog/models/04/BRAVO THREE.

Better yet, buy the whole Transom Repair Kit. Merc Part # 710-8M0095485. Comes with all the goodies. Since you're down there and taking everything off, you might as well change the drive shaft, exhaust and shift cable bellows, etc... The kit comes with all new hose clamps, o-rings and even a new water hose. But I found the water hose is a giant pain to replace. Good luck man!

OEM MerCruiser Bravo 123 Bellows SealRepair Kit 8M0095485 30-803100T1

J3ff · May 2020

Thank you Ken, it's a long story, but almost all of that was just changed in Sept 2019 !! Just need a new gimbal bearing

will try to extract it from your part number there.

J3ff · May 2020

Looking at your part number..
https://nuwavemarine.com/oem-mercruiser-bravo-1-2-3-bellows-seal-repair-kit-8m0095485-30-803100t1/

Comes with this as the bearing part number:

30-862540A3

Which links to this part that says A.A. :

https://www.amazon.com/Bearing-Mercruiser-Replaces-30-879194A01-30-862540A3/dp/B07N14KHJB

Do we all think that's the right one?

Sigh..

And this one says Tungsten:

https://www.amazon.com/Bearing-Mercruiser-replaces-30-879194A01-30-862540A3/dp/B006JAJWCM/ref=pd_sbs_263_6/132-1350720-3439167?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B006JAJWCM&pd_rd_r=77ab4bf3-cd1b-4738-a6e4-70732f6a5317&pd_rd_w=vLJjD&pd_rd_wg=7BqGi&pf_rd_p=12b8d3e2-e203-4b23-a8bc-68a7d2806477&pf_rd_r=XJ9GHA8P5K69VQG1CN4Z&psc=1&refRID=XJ9GHA8P5K69VQG1CN4Z

What's the difference?

69fastback · May 2020

PickleRick said:

I would think id want a greseable one, this is really an @Alswagg question.

I grease mine a few squirts each month during the season.

Since it was replaced 2 season ago ill replace it this fall along with bellows which i do each season along with water pump.

My dad has gone about a decade on his alpha one bellows, impeller and manifolds on his cruiser. He's 100% a dude with a boat. He can do all the repairs, he just gets lazy with age.

You replace your gimbal bearing every 2 seasons?

J3ff · May 2020

This will be the 3rd in 3 years over here!!

PickleRick · May 2020

@69fastback Yes i will replace after 2 seasons as i dont know what brand was used. Its greasable so he may have used the cheapest ebay amazon bearing he could find. Unless it sells before then, then ill let the next owner worry about it. The bayliner 2859 boats i like so much can be found from about 12k to about 17k with the 7.4 and bravo 2/3, some with trailer. Right now im not pushing to sell the rinker but if i can move my sailboat i will begin my search. Once i move my sailboat ill have ample parking space. I wouldn't push to sell my rinker until I've got the new boat in top shape and ready to launch.

With a new fuel tank, hard bottom paint, all new seats and cushions as well as all service items taken care of i might be able to find a buyer.

Why cant rinker make a 28 ft express hard top?