3853807 Gimbal Bearing · Fits OMC Cobra / King Cobra select 1986–1998, Replaces 18-2100, 21906, 983937

3853807 Gimbal Bearing · Fits OMC Cobra / King Cobra select 1986–1998, Replaces 18-2100, 21906, 983937

GHMarine gimbal / U-joint bearing — CSKU 18BK5002 — a metal bearing, not an exhaust bellow and not a transom bellows kit. Primary OEM 3853807. Also listed as 983937 / 21752712 when the catalog uses those related numbers. Cross-refs 18-2100, 21906, 9-72410, 64794, 30-00803.

Sister CSKU 20GK001 also sells 3853807 — match the CSKU / package you stock. Need exhaust bellow 3850426 → GH 17B1010 / 18BK002. Need U-joint bellow 3854127 → GH 18B1002 / 18B5002. Need later MerCruiser-style maintenance-free bearing families (62540 / 862540A3 paths) → not an open substitute on this page.

Which part is this?

It is the metal gimbal / U-joint bearing used in listed OMC Cobra / King Cobra gimbal housings and in select Volvo SX/DP U-joint assemblies when EPC confirms 3853807. Confirm the old bearing number before you order.

It is not an exhaust bellow, not a U-joint rubber bellow, not a water hose, not a gasket / seal kit, and not a complete multi-bellow transom service kit.

Signs yours is due

• Gimbal / U-joint bearing is noisy, rough, or seized when the drive is supported — stamped 3853807 / 983937 / 18-2100 when readable.
• Play or heat at the gimbal housing while bellows still look serviceable — confirm you need the bearing, not only rubber.
• You almost ordered an "exhaust bellow kit" because an old title / kit photo showed bellows around a bearing — stop; 18BK5002 is the metal 3853807 bearing only.
• Divert: exhaust 3850426 → GH 17B1010 / 18BK002. U-joint bellow → GH 18B1002. Sister bearing CSKU → GH 20GK001.

Will it fit my drive?

This bearing is Compatible with select OMC Cobra / King Cobra gimbal housings about 1986–1998 that specify 3853807 / 983937. Compatible with select Volvo Penta SX / DP U-joint assemblies only when EPC confirms 3853807 (SX-R2 and other exclusions follow EPC). Do not shop by HP alone. Do not treat later 62540 / 862540A3 maintenance-free families as an unconditional swap.

*Representative Cobra band. Final fit = OEM 3853807 / 983937 / 21752712 on the old bearing or EPC — not HP-only, and not a free pass onto later MerCruiser maintenance-free bearing numbers.

OEM & swap numbers

Primary OEM 3853807. Also 983937 / 21752712. Cross-refs 18-2100, 21906, 9-72410, 64794, 30-00803.

Wrong part? Read before you order

• NOT an exhaust bellow or "exhaust bellow kit"
• NOT U-joint rubber bellow 3854127 (GH 18B1002 / 18B5002)
• NOT exhaust bellow 3850426 (GH 17B1010 / 18BK002)
• NOT later 62540 / 862540A3 as an unconditional substitute
• NOT a multi-bellow + hose + gasket kit photo as the shipped BOM

What ships in the box

• 1 × Gimbal / U-joint bearing (3853807 family)
• Set screw / grease-passage plug only when your package shows them — do not assume they ship

Gallery note: multi-piece transom kit photos (bellows + hose + bearing + gaskets) are not this CSKU's BOM. Upload only after a real single 3853807 bearing photo is available.

Often ordered with related SKUs

• Sister 3853807 CSKU → GH 20GK001
• Exhaust 3850426 → GH 17B1010 / 18BK002
• U-joint bellow 3854127 → GH 18B1002 / 18B5002
• Shift cable bellow 911826 → GH 18B1001

Install tips on the gimbal bearing

Gimbal / U-joint bearing work. Cold engine; disconnect battery; support the drive per the service manual. This is a metal bearing job — not a bellows-adhesive script.

1. Match OEM 3853807 / 983937 / 21752712 on the old bearing before removal; photograph orientation and any set screw.
2. Support and remove the drive as required to reach the gimbal / U-joint bearing; clean the housing.
3. Install the new bearing per the service-manual press / orientation procedure for your drive.
4. Install set screw / plug only if your package and manual require them.
5. Reassemble, then check for play, noise, and grease path before returning the boat to service.

FAQ

Is this an exhaust bellow kit?

No. 18BK5002 is a metal gimbal / U-joint bearing (3853807) only. Old "Exhaust Bellow Kit" titles for this CSKU were wrong.

Is 18BK5002 the same as 20GK001?

Same primary OEM 3853807. This page is CSKU 18BK5002 — match the CSKU / package you stock.

Do bellows and gaskets ship in the box?

No. Kit gallery images are contamination. BOM is one bearing (+ set screw/plug only if shown).

Can I use this for 62540 / 862540A3 applications?

Not as an open unconditional swap on this page. Confirm your old bearing / EPC number first.

SX year tag alone — enough?

No. Confirm 3853807 / 983937 / 21752712 on EPC for that assembly.

Is this a MerCruiser Alpha / Bravo bearing page?

This page is OMC / Volvo Penta 3853807. Cross-brand year bands are not the primary fit story here.

Please note

Aftermarket replacement by GHMarine. Not affiliated with engine manufacturers named above. "Compatible with", "Replaces", and cross-ref numbers identify the 3853807 gimbal / U-joint bearing family — always confirm OEM number, drive type, EPC, CSKU, and package contents before ordering.