Bravo 1 gimball bearing change: do I have to re-aligne? If so, why?

when you align the setup you checking alignment of the motor itself in relation to the housing. replacing the bearing will have no affect on your motor alignment.

Although It may be good practice to check it since you have the drive off.

I would definitely check the alignment to make sure mis-alignment didn't cause the beaing failure.

I check my alignment everytime I have my drive off.

That's wht I was thinking. The reason I ask is that I did change my gimball bearing few weeks ago without checking the alignment. I went boating for the first time this saturday and yesterday, and on the way back yesterday, the engine coupler blew on me.

I only put 5 hours on it since I change the bearing, therefore I was wondering if this might a been the cause or just pure coincidence??

I understand that the alignment should be checked once in a while (and while having the stern off is probably a good time to do so) but I could'nt figured why it would need to be realigne specificly when you chage the gimball bearing.

blackhawk said:

I would definitely check the alignment to make sure mis-alignment didn't cause the beaing failure.

I check my alignment everytime I have my drive off.

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I change my bearing ifor preventive purpice but from now on, I guess that's that's what I'll do every year.

The only reason you need to use the alignment tool after a bearing change is to get the spherical part of the bearing in alignment with the coupler splines. If you don't do this and the bearing is not true to the coupler, the drive will not go one. Or you will have to force it on. Being the spherical part is ver stiff if you force it on you are likely to deflect the rubber mounted splines more than align the bearing. After startup the bearing will align itself, but after a few thousand revolutions you might have just wiped out your splines.

So therefore, yes you must alway use the alignment tool after a gimble bearing replacement.

Blue Thunder said:

The only reason you need to use the alignment tool after a bearing change is to get the spherical part of the bearing in alignment with the coupler splines. If you don't do this and the bearing is not true to the coupler, the drive will not go one. Or you will have to force it on. Being the spherical part is ver stiff if you force it on you are likely to deflect the rubber mounted splines more than align the bearing. After startup the bearing will align itself, but after a few thousand revolutions you might have just wiped out your splines.

So therefore, yes you must alway use the alignment tool after a gimble bearing replacement.

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Just to make sure I get it right, you're telling me that, yes the bearing will eventually alling itself like I thougth, but chances are that when putting the drive back on, if I need to force it in, the shaft splines could easily damage the spline in the coupler making it's way in, which will weaken the coupler. Is that it?

Yes. The drive should slide right on with little resistance. Did it?

Blue Thunder said:

Yes. The drive should slide right on with little resistance. Did it?

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Well to be honest, I remember it did'nt. So, I should of known better!