Thanks, Carla.
I've been working on putting the shiny black parts back together. I'll post some pics as I get them done. Ran into a problem with the u-bolt in the gimbal ring and had to start over after ordering a new one. Had to do a little improvising on tools, too.
There are a lot of specialty tools required to work on marine engines and drives. Some are must-haves, like the hinge pin tool for removing the hinge pins from the Mercruiser Bravo bell housing. It does the job and only costs about 15 bucks, so it’s a no-brainer that you’re going to buy one if you’re going to do your own work.
On the other hand, there are some tools that you just can’t talk yourself into buying. For removing the upper swivel pin bushing from the Bravo transom assembly, the Mercruiser manual lists a part number for a blind bushing removal tool. The part number is for a Snap on set that has different heads for different size bushings, and it only cost $450. I needed to remove the bushing, but I just couldn’t throw $450 at a tool I’ll only use once in ten years. So I put my thinking cap on.
My first attempt at a blind bushing remover was a dismal failure. I cut it out of thin SS plate and it crumpled when I put a load on it. Here’s what it looked like before I killed it.
After two attempts with the stainless failed, I decided to go with some ¼” steel plate. Using the same shape as the stainless prototype, I cut a stouter piece.
Once I slipped a shim into the groove in the tool, it gripped the bushing and out it came.
I love it when a plan comes together.
Dave