30-879194A02 Gimbal Bearing Repair Seal Kit 3-Piece Fits MerCruiser MC-1 R MR Alpha Bravo Sterndrives

30-879194A02 Gimbal Bearing Repair Seal Kit 3-Piece — Fits MerCruiser MC-1 R MR Alpha Bravo Sterndrives, Replaces 30-879194A01 26-88416 27-94996Q2 Sierra 18-21001

Check drive S/N + removed bearing stamp before you order. GHMarine 3-piece gimbal bearing repair seal kit for compatible MerCruiser sterndrives — bearing, oil seal, and housing gasket kit shops replace during transom / gimbal service. Catalog ref 879194A02; box contains 30-879194A01 + 26-88416 + 27-94996Q2.

Not bearing-only → 18MB001 / 20BG003. Not 2-piece → 20BG002.

Which part is this?

"I only need the bearing" → 18MB001 or 20BG003. "Bearing + seal" → 20BG002. "Bearing + seal + gasket" → 20BG004 (this listing).

This is not a rubber bellow, not a water pump, not the full 17B3005 transom kit with hoses — just 1× bearing (30-879194A01) + 1× oil seal (26-88416) + 1× gasket kit (27-94996Q2).

Signs yours is due

·       Steering play, grinding, or rumbling at the gimbal housing when you turn or trim — the gimbal bearing is worn.

·       Oil or grease leaking at the gimbal ring — bearing, seal, and housing gaskets often get replaced together when the drive is off.

·       Drive is already off for transom service — if the bearing is going in, shops usually plan on the seal and gasket kit too. That's what this 3-piece listing is for.

·       Match the stamp on your removed bearing: 879194A01/A02 / 60794 family vs later 862540A3 maintenance-free — 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 one needs a single bearing and another needs this 3-piece kit.

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

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

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

·       Stamp in 30-879194A01, 30-879194A02, 30-60794A2, or 18-2100 family → early greasable this kit covers.

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

·       18-21001 is a kit catalog number. 18-2100 is the bearing component only — neither proves you need all three hardware pieces; read What's in the Box.

Why a 3-piece repair kit?

When the gimbal housing is open, the bearing, its companion seal, and the housing gasket set are all in the same service path. Salt, steering loads, and trim wear them on different timelines — but shops replace the set when the drive is already off.

Catalog 30-879194A02 is the marketing kit number. Box contents per BOM: 30-879194A01, 26-88416, 27-94996Q2.

No bellows or hoses here. Need only the flat gasket kit? → 20GK002. Need bearing + seal without gasket? → 20BG002.

Will it fit my drive?

Early greasable gimbal applications on MC-1, R/MR, Alpha One, and Bravo One per catalog tables. Drive serial number required.

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	30-879194A01 + 26-88416 + 27-94996Q2
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 kit	30-879194A02	Marketing / catalog kit lead number
OEM bearing	30-879194A01	Gimbal bearing in the box — greasable family
OEM seal	26-88416	Oil seal in the box
OEM gasket	27-94996Q2	Gasket kit in the box — housing seal set
OEM family	30-60794A2	Same bearing family — single bearing see 18MB001
Aftermarket kit	18-21001	Replaces 30-879194A02 — full kit cross
Aftermarket bearing	18-2100	Bearing component — not the full 3-piece by itself
Aftermarket gasket	39622	Cross for 27-94996Q2
Aftermarket seal	85910	Cross for 26-88416
Aftermarket bearing	21906	30-879194A01 family

 

Wrong part? Read before you order

·       NOT for single gimbal bearing only — see GHMarine 18MB001 or 20BG003.

·       NOT for bearing + oil seal without gasket — see GHMarine 20BG002.

·       NOT for gasket kit only — see GHMarine 20GK002 (27-94996Q2).

·       NOT for Gen II / later maintenance-free bearing 30-862540A3 or 62540 / 18-2102.

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

What ships in the box

·       1 × Gimbal bearing (30-879194A01)

·       1 × Oil seal (26-88416)

·       1 × Gasket kit (27-94996Q2)

·       No rubber bellows, hoses, or full transom kit hardware

Often ordered with transom service

·       Single bearing — GHMarine 18MB001 / 20BG003.

·       2-piece bearing + seal — GHMarine 20BG002.

·       Gasket only — GHMarine 20GK002.

·       Full transom kit — GHMarine 17B3005.

Install tips

1. Remove sterndrive; inspect bearing, seal lip, and gasket surfaces.

2. Replace all three if the housing was open for bearing service.

3. Drive bearing square; install seal without nicking the lip.

4. Seat gasket kit per housing orientation; torque evenly.

5. Test trim and steering on muffs before launch.

FAQ

Is this a single gimbal bearing only?

No. 3-piece repair kit (30-879194A01 + 26-88416 + 27-94996Q2). For bearing-only see 18MB001 or 20BG003.

How is this different from 20BG002?

20BG002 is bearing + oil seal only — no gasket 27-94996Q2. This listing adds the gasket kit.

Does this include only the gasket 27-94996Q2?

No — full 3-piece. For gasket-only see 20GK002.

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

18-21001 crosses the kit (30-879194A02). 18-2100 is the bearing component only.

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

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

Is the big flat gasket photo the whole product?

The gasket kit (27-94996Q2) is one of three parts. You also get bearing 30-879194A01 and oil seal 26-88416.

How is this different from 18MB001?

18MB001 ships one bearing (60794A2 lead). 20BG004 is the full gimbal hardware repair set with seal and gasket.

What is in the box?

1× gimbal bearing (30-879194A01), 1× oil seal (26-88416), 1× gasket kit (27-94996Q2). No bellows, no hoses.

My drive is Gen II — is this still right?

Only if your removed label is in the 879194 / 60794 / 18-2100 greasable family and your drive is in the early greasable catalog band. Removed label first; drive S/N second.

Is this the same as KF Amazon listing B0D5H9BSTM?

Same CSKU family — confirm the backend listing still shows 3-piece BOM (30-879194A01 + 26-88416 + 27-94996Q2), not single bearing or 2-piece only.

Please note

Aftermarket replacement kit. Not affiliated with engine manufacturers referenced above. Drive serial number is mandatory. Confirm removed bearing stamp + drive S/N before order.