".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.