I am installing a new gimbal bearing in my alpha one outdrive. The
manual says that the cutouts in the bearing must face foreward. This may
sound stupid but do they mean towards the front of the boat (ie the bow?).

Thanks in advance!



matt

They mean the cutouts must face forward towards the bow. Don't believe it.
The bearing doesn't care which way the cut outs face.
"matthew siroky" wrote in message
news:Vdu3b.286886$YN5.197280@sccrnsc01...
I am installing a new gimbal bearing in my alpha one outdrive. The
manual says that the cutouts in the bearing must face foreward. This may
sound stupid but do they mean towards the front of the boat (ie the bow?).

Thanks in advance!



matt

I see grease oozing from the rather large gap between the inner race and
dust cover when the bearing is full. I haven't seen grease coming from
between the tight fitting outer race and carrier at the notches. Maybe I'm
missing something. I'll take a closer look next time.


"Jim Kelly" wrote in message
...
The bearing may not care but the rubber bellows will if you install it
backwards. Excess grease vents from these cutouts and will eventually end
up
softening the bellows. With the cutouts forward, the grease vents toward
the
engine.

".JIMinMA." wrote:

They mean the cutouts must face forward towards the bow. Don't believe
it.
The bearing doesn't care which way the cut outs face.
"matthew siroky" wrote in message
news:Vdu3b.286886$YN5.197280@sccrnsc01...
I am installing a new gimbal bearing in my alpha one outdrive. The
manual says that the cutouts in the bearing must face foreward. This
may
sound stupid but do they mean towards the front of the boat (ie the
bow?).

Thanks in advance!



matt

".JIMinMA." wrote:

They mean the cutouts must face forward towards the bow. Don't believe
it.
The bearing doesn't care which way the cut outs face.
"matthew siroky" wrote in message
news:Vdu3b.286886$YN5.197280@sccrnsc01...
I am installing a new gimbal bearing in my alpha one outdrive. The
manual says that the cutouts in the bearing must face foreward. This
may
sound stupid but do they mean towards the front of the boat (ie the
bow?).



Several years ago Mercury started to recommend that the cutuots face
forward, towards the front of the boat. Prior to that time with the
cutouts facing aft, the bearing could be cocked sideways and removed
without pulling the "tolerance ring" and the aluminum shell out of the
transom housing. Since the bearing was sold as an assembly and not
individually, Merc did not like the idea of using aftermarket
bearings. With the cutouts forward, you have to pull the whole
assembly using the special tools when it comes time for replacement.

Bill Grannis
service manager.