Gimbal ring
 

I have been working pretty extensively on the 2000 Shabah 250 I picked up in Feb. When I purchased it I knew there were a handful of items that needed to be addressed. One of the said items happened to be the gimbal ring. The ring needed to be repaired where the gimbal shaft went up and through it. Here is a link to the supposed "fix" :
Tools

I thought I would support a local business and at the same time save some $$ by not paying shipping. Long story sort I paid 200$ to a "machine shop" to weld in some aluminum and then FILE it into whatever they thought was acceptable. Needless to say Im very disappointed and will be trying to recover my 200$ spent on what is now a scrap aluminum hoop...

I think my options are as follows: Buy a stainless steel gimbal OR buy an aluminum at nearly the same cost.
My question to MOC members: Has anyone heard of or used this particular product by HILL marine?
Stainless Steel Propellers, Boat Props, Marine Accessories | Hill Marine

Ebay link to the same SS ring:
Gimbal Parts for Bravo 1 2 and 3 Mercruiser | eBay

Re: Gimbal ring
 

I was planning on doing some sort of a write up on the JRMarine kit to remedy the gimbal issue but I found that there is plenty of info and Youtube videos there is really no point. I can say that the kit had everything I needed minus the tap kit to bolt the cover plate on. It was extremely easy and had I not ran into the issue with the gimbal ring itself the Shabah would be on the water this weekend. Here is the link to the cover plate kit:
Instructions

Re: Gimbal ring
 

so did you buy new or do the JR repair ?

Re: Gimbal ring
 

I dropped gimbal off at the machine shop again. They are going to try to do something different this time. Keep in mind this is in my worn part. He is doing the work like JR would with the weld an machine. I wanted my money back to put towards the SS gimbal but they basically begged me to give them another go at it.
As for the cut out piece to the back of transom, yes I did that. Super easy and it looks factory went its all bolted up. The benefit is saving 6 hrs shop labor on remove replace the motor to get to the steering arm for gimbal disassembly.

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Re: Gimbal ring
 

my motor is out, as well as the outdrive. I too have a sloppy steering and am going to have to do something.

Re: Gimbal ring
 

like a Volvo DPX Drive.....lol :stick_poke:

Re: Gimbal ring
 

While its out either send the gimbal ring to JRMarine or buy the SS replacement and be done. I also purchased the SS bolt and newer designed U bolt.
Other than that you may need the 7$ seal kit for out drive to bell housing. I also did the bellows while I have it apart... And the gimbal bearing. Why!? Because I don't want to have to tear her down this season or even have to worry about it. The U joints were done as well as drive coupler too. New Panther skeg guard. Zinc chromate prime an 3 coats phantom black. New decals. Prop shaft. Gear house bearings, seals, washers, all torqued to spec. Prop repaired. Fresh oil. Pressure tested and ready for the water. Just waiting on the gimbal ring..... You can imagine my anticipation/ anxiety over this. Lots of time an $$$$ into this Shabah since Feb.

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Re: Gimbal ring
 

Its pretty easy to tell if it is the gimbal ring causing slop vs the steering needing adjustment. Didn't mean to get off topic there, sorry! There is another type of SS gimbal ring on eBay but be sure of the correct part you need. Its the same price but its setup for external steering and not gimbal shaft steering. Just an FYI

I forgot a few things off that list of repair as well. I went all out with it!!

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Re: Gimbal ring
 

For reference I spoke with Ron @ Ron Hill Marine. Super nice guy, down to earth and not out to be a salesman. He says his SS gimbal began in the performance boat market for high HP boats. The rings became so popular that he is able to make them an sale them for a similar cost to mercruiser's aluminium unit that will eventually fail as the first one did. He states that his rings are the same spec as mercruiser and parts bolt up without any modifications. Well worth the money IMO.
As of now I'm using my repaired unit. When it fails I'll be going with the SS from Hill Marine.