30-879194A02 Gimbal Bearing Fits MerCruiser MC-1 R MR Alpha One Bravo Sterndrives

30-879194A02 Gimbal Bearing — Fits MerCruiser MC-1 R MR Alpha One Bravo Sterndrives, Replaces 30-60794A4, 30-60794A2, Sierra 18-2100

Check drive S/N + removed bearing stamp before you order. GHMarine single gimbal bearing — early greasable family listed under OEM ref 30-879194A02. One bearing in the box — not a seal kit, not a gasket kit.

Same family as 18MB001 (30-60794A2 lead). Bearing + seal → 20BG002. 3-piece repair → 20BG004.

879194 lead vs 60794 lead — why two listings?

Same bearing family, two GH listings: 18MB001 leads with 60794A2; this listing leads with 879194A02 for buyers who search kit paperwork numbers but only need one bearing.

30-879194A02 on a kit box often means bearing + seal (see 20BG002). This SKU is single bearing only — no oil seal, no gasket.

Signs yours is due

·       Growling, grinding, or rumbling from the transom / gimbal housing when you turn or trim — classic failed gimbal bearing noise.

·       Steering wheel play at the gimbal — the bearing is worn, not the bellow.

·       Drive is off for transom service and the old bearing feels rough or corroded — replace the bearing; add a seal only if your shop says you need 20BG002.

·       Match the stamp on your removed bearing: 879194A02 / 60794A4 / 60794A2 / 18-2100 family vs later 862540A3 — wrong generation means pulling the drive twice.

Before you order — two-minute check

Two bros can both say Alpha One and still need different parts — or the same bearing with a different catalog number on the paperwork.

·       Sterndrive serial number (S/N) is non-negotiable — even if your drive matches your bro's letter-for-letter. Mercury splits parts by S/N break.

·       Step 1 — removed bearing stamp: read the number on the metal, not an old box label.

·       Step 2 — drive S/N: read the sterndrive serial on the nameplate on the upper drive housing.

·       Stamp in 30-879194A02 / 30-60794A4 / 30-60794A2 / 18-2100 family → early greasable this listing covers.

·       Stamp 862540A3 / 18-2102 → later maintenance-free. Do not order this SKU.

·       18-21001 is a kit catalog number — not proof you need only a bearing. For bearing + seal order 20BG002; for one bearing use 18-2100 cross or this listing.

·       Two bros can both say Alpha One and still need different bearing generations — read your S/N.

Why so many part numbers?

Catalogs list 879194A02, 60794A4, and 60794A2 as cross-references on the same early greasable family — kit paperwork, supersession, and duplicate listing leads, not five unrelated bearings.

Early greasable bearings (this listing) are not the same product line as later maintenance-free 862540A3 / 18-2102 used on many Gen II drives.

Will it fit my drive?

Early greasable gimbal bearing on MC-1, R/MR, Alpha One, Bravo One. Drive S/N required. NOT later 862540A3 without label match.

Brand	Model / Drive	Rated HP	Type	Years	OEM Part No.
MerCruiser	MC-1	120–260	Sterndrive	1974–1982	30-879194A02
MerCruiser	R / MR	170–300	Sterndrive	1983–1997	30-879194A02
MerCruiser	Alpha One Gen I	190–260	Sterndrive	1983–1990	30-60794A4
MerCruiser	Alpha One Gen II (early greasable)	190–300	Sterndrive	1991–1997	30-879194A02
MerCruiser	Bravo One	260–350	Sterndrive	1988–1995	30-879194A02

 

OEM & swap numbers

Type	Part Number	Notes
OEM (listing lead)	30-879194A02	879194 family — single bearing search entry
OEM family	30-60794A2	Same greasable family — preferred lead on 18MB001
OEM family	30-60794A4	Kit BOM bearing — same family when sold alone
OEM family	30-879194A01	Early A01 suffix — cross-ref family
Aftermarket bearing	18-2100	Replaces 30-60794A4 / greasable family
Aftermarket kit	18-21001	Kit cross for 30-879194A02 — NOT single bearing · see 20BG002
Aftermarket	21906	GLM catalog row — greasable gimbal bearing
Aftermarket	9-72410	Mallory cross — single bearing

 

Wrong part? Read before you order

·       NOT for bearing + oil seal kit — see GHMarine 20BG002 (30-60794A4 + 26-88416).

·       NOT for bearing + seal + gasket 3-piece — see GHMarine 20BG004 (27-94996Q2).

·       NOT for the same single bearing with 60794A2 lead — see GHMarine 18MB001.

·       NOT for Gen II / later maintenance-free 30-862540A3 or 62540 / 18-2102 — match removed label.

·       NOT for full transom repair with bellows + hoses — see GHMarine 17B3005.

·       NOT for rubber bellows (exhaust / U-joint / shift) — not a bearing.

What ships in the box

·       1 × Gimbal bearing (30-879194A02 / 30-60794A4 greasable family)

·       No oil seal (26-88416), gasket (27-94996Q2), or bellows

Often ordered with transom service

·       Bearing + seal kit — 20BG002

·       60794A2 single bearing lead — 18MB001

·       3-piece repair — 20BG004

·       Full transom kit — 17B3005

Install tips

1. Remove sterndrive; inspect bearing for rust, roughness, or play.

2. Pull old bearing with slide hammer / bearing puller.

3. Drive new bearing square with a bearing driver.

4. Check alignment before reinstalling drive.

FAQ

Is this the same as 18MB001?

Same greasable bearing family on compatible drives. 18MB001 leads with 30-60794A2; this listing leads with 30-879194A02 for buyers searching 879194 numbers. One bearing in the box either way.

Is 30-879194A02 a kit with oil seal?

On 20BG002, yes — bearing + seal kit. On 20BG003, single bearing only. Read the product title and What's in the Box.

What is the difference between 18-21001 and 18-2100?

18-21001 crosses the kit (30-879194A02). 18-2100 is the bearing component — use that mindset for single-bearing orders.

My bro has the same drive — can I copy his order?

No — verify your drive S/N and removed bearing stamp first.

Can I search "MerCruiser gimbal bearing" and buy this?

Please confirm you need one bearing, not bearing+seal or a 3-piece kit. Five minutes beats pulling the drive twice.

Do I need 20BG004 instead?

20BG004 adds gasket 27-94996Q2 to bearing + seal. This listing is bearing only.

What is in the box?

1 × Gimbal bearing (30-879194A02 / 30-60794A4 family). No oil seal, no gasket, no bellows. Tools sold separately unless shown.

My drive is Gen II — still this bearing?

Only if your removed label is in the 60794 / 879194 / 18-2100 greasable family and your drive S/N falls in the early catalog band. Many Gen II units use maintenance-free bearings instead.

How is this different from a bellow?

Bellows are rubber boots. The gimbal bearing is a pressed-in roller bearing in the housing.

Why two single-bearing SKUs on GH-Marine?

Different search entry points (18MB001 vs 20BG003) — same family, clearer routing so 879194 kit traffic does not land on the wrong SKU.

Please note

Aftermarket replacement. Not affiliated with engine manufacturers referenced above. Drive serial number is mandatory — even when your bro's nameplate matches. Confirm removed bearing stamp + drive S/N before order.