Gimbal ring repair/replacement

Ian

So the need may have to be done, some play in the port side so best case the upper pin is shot, likely the gimbal ring is also worn. Will be going the Mercruiser repair route - drill the holes in each side - that apparently is not as easy as the other 3rd party method but I'd prefer to go the way the manufacturer puts in their service manuals. I have seen a few options here and in the web in general around around repair services - send in, weld and machine and return all good again - as well as buying a used part versus the horrendously expensive new unit.

Anyone care to offer feedback on who you have used, experiences etc? Feel free to send private message if you don't want to publicly air a bad experience you may have had with a provider.

Thanks.

Liberty44140

On my previous boat I had to have the gimbal rings done and I had a mercruiser certified tech do it via the JR Marine method. Worked very well, saved money, no complaints. I think a little wiggle in the drives, especially the non leading side, is normal. Someone else can chime in but I thought a half inch or so was normal. 

craigswardmtb

I have a little play in mine as well but when i replaced my swivel shaft the gimbal ring was actually in decent shape.  So i'm guessing there is just some degree of play in the steering system.  Two Bravo 3 boats and both had a bit of play.  As for repairing the gimbal ring i have heard JR Marine does a nice job.

Cableguy Greg

When I had my ring replaced on my old 232cc with an Alpha drive, I slid the engine forward to do it. I am not a fan of the drilling in the sides of the transom housing method. It costs a little more, but I like the results better.

frenchship

The JR marine way was the best for me. Also if you change the pivot pin use the stainless steel one.

99270fv

I did the JR marine method on mine with the stainless steel pin and would recommend that to anybody thinking about another method.  

picturethis

Bringing this up....  Those that have replaced a Bravo 3 ring ,, Any feedback on using the refirbished rings from JR marine??   I was thinking of going that way instead of new..

Liberty44140

On my 310 they did the JR method and rings on both drives and it was awesome. Worked great and affordable. 

picturethis

Thanks for the feedback,  it seems like a no brainier if these refurb rings hold up well

davidbrooks

So i am gonna toss up an alternative opinion. Couple years ago i hit something underwater going backwards and it broke my gimbal ring.  See below.  In doing the research i found out that the cost of replacing the gimbal ring and then other common sense items i very quickly got close to the cost of just replacing the whole transom assembly.  I have a 2003 and the question came up regarding metal fatigue, improvements since 2003 and what else might be damaged that i am just not seeing yet. I found one TA for $1500 on craigslist.  New still in the box and another for $2400. It does require the engine to be pulled which is about 4 hrs labor to remove and 4 hrs to reinstall.  Just saying it may be worth it in the long run to put in a new TA.

picturethis

Woah WTF did you hit??
  I will thnk about that pic everytime I m in shallow water .... or put it in reverse  Yeah I had shops that wanted to replace the TA for around $6k  Thought that maybe an overkill

I Forgot to mention that my out drive has play only to right about 3" not the left . 
The more I research it and having different mechanics look at it im leaning towards the steering arm is rounded out,  The ring moves with the outdrive when moving it left to right and theres no up and down play  .  I wont know forsure until I get it torn down.

aero3113

Yea, you have to be careful backing up in shallow water with the drive up. When the drive is up, it’s mostly out of the guides on the gimbal ring, nothing to support it left or right. When you hit and the leverage of the drive, the ring snaps easily. Happened to my coworker, he also cracked the transom assembly.

rasbury

I won't disagree with the whole asy but I have not heard anything about the condition of the boat. What is the cost of the JR method? I also say the asy off Craig's list with an engine pull might be the same cost when the smoke clears and you have new everything including trim pistons. That is what I should have done in hindsight so I would look at this with a sharp pencil. If you can do it yourself it's a no brainier. You could put a 4x4 across the boat with a come along and move the motor back enough without actually pulling it I think.  

davidbrooks

I have no idea what i hit. But i was lucky not to sink. Literally the only thing holding the outdrive on was the bellows. Drives will pop up if you hit something going forward. In reverse there is no give whatsoever. 

picturethis

What kind of shape was the drive in after that? 
The boat in question is a 2000  27' Captiva In good to great condition thats worth on a good day $17k with a 454 b3  .  If I had to pull the motor anyway, could see MAYBE changing out the TA but in my situation that just seems like donating to the shops bank account .

davidbrooks

@picturethis because i hit something they told me that i really should have the drive checked for any stress fractures, busted teeth on gears etc... We knew the TA had to be replaced.  When they looked at the drive it had about 650 hrs on it and determined that it needed a rebuild.  I found out that almost all B3's need a rebuild by 800-900 hrs.  So i sent it off to a great guy in MI to rebuild it and ship back.  He charged $3k plus shipping.  You are right though. As the boats get older we have to always ask that question.  I had a friend just total his boat because the windshield was smashed.  He had a 25 ft 2003 CC and was told the Windshield would be $8k.  Anything other than the exact right one would crack.  So insurance totaled the boat.