www.iFourWinns.com

The past 2 years when I pulled my Cobra SX drives off my 97 Vista 278, I noticed the stbd gimbal bearing was "tighter" to move by hand than my port. The port gimbal bearing spun real easy by hand.

Today, after having my bellows replaced, I was about to grease everything up and put it back together. The stbd gimbal bearing is still tight and smooth, however my port side now isnt smooth to spin anymore Good thing I checked it before I put it all back together!!

So basically, is NO roughness permitted with a gimbal bearing? Mine is smooth until I go to one spot and then theres a little bump... so little you can barely notice it. There is no play in the bearing that I could detect, but it IS much easier to spin than my stbd side. I didnt have any noise/water intrusion/vibration last year. My mechanic is charging me (***get this***) $30 (no missing zero's) to replace the bearing, providing I get the part. I will gladly hand that over!

Also - good idea to replace both at the same time, even if only 1 needs it? Or should I run the stbd gimbal bearing out until it too gets rough/easy to spin by hand?

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

There should be no roughness at all. If the other is perfectly smooth I'd leave it be.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Today the mechanic came back and replaced the gimbal bearing. I went and bought the gimbal bearing (OEM VP part) For $90 and some change.

He also discovered my port side alignment was out by 1/2" he said. That is probably why my gimbal bearing on that side wore out before the stbd side. He adjusted the alignment, installed the new gimbal bearing, and was out of my driveway after I handed him $45 cash. WORTH.EVERY.PENNY.

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21