Alpha One (gen 1) parts advice

[tgmmartin]

Hi there,

I am preparing to replacing the gimbal steering pins and associated bushing/bearings, bellows etc on my 1984 MR/Alpha 1. Due to play between the steering pin and the arm (no play between gimbal ring and pin).

I know that I have the square/square upper steering pin. This locks me in to using a specified set of upper swivel pin parts (bushings rather than bearings etc), no real debate or confusion here.

The Mercruiser parts list is less specific regarding the lower swivel pin. For example:

• pin could be steel (p/n 45212) or aluminum (8M0073409)
• could use nylong bushing (847638) or a needle bearing and seals (32538,39273,32541)

Does anyone know if these parts are interchangeable? Or do they have to be used under certain combinations (eg steel pin with bearing, aluminum pin with bushing)? Is one system better than another? For what it's worth, my transom housing does have a grease zerk for the lower swivel pin.

In terms of using OEM or aftermarket parts. I will definitely use Mercruiser bellows (and other small cheaps parts like bushings etc). Does anyone have any recommendations for items like the steering pin, steeing lever, trim senders? Worth forking out the extra money for Mercruiser, or are there acceptable alternatives?

Thanks, Toby

 

[kghost]

Use exactly the same new parts as the old parts.
If steering arm is steel, use steel
Use only steel pin!
Use needle bearing NOT bushing.

The parts that you are replacing lasted what? Almost 40 years. Why use anything other than OEM?

 

[Dieter]

The parts that you are replacing lasted what? Almost 40 years. Why use anything other than OEM?

This . Use OEM and you wont have issues