Mercury MerCruiser OEM Perma-Lube Gimbal Bearing 879194A02 | Alpha One Gen II Bravo Vazer Sterndrive

Mercury MerCruiser OEM Perma-Lube Gimbal Bearing — Part 879194A02

• Part Number: 879194A02
• Full Catalog Number: 30-879194A02
• Brand: Mercury Marine / MerCruiser (Genuine OEM)
• Official Product Type: Sterndrive & Transom Parts — Perma-Lube Gimbal Bearing (individual bearing assembly)
• System: Sterndrive transom assembly — gimbal housing / transom plate
• Position: Gimbal housing bore — supports and aligns the sterndrive input shaft through the transom assembly
• Lubrication Type: Permanently lubricated (sealed) — Perma-Lube design, no external greasing required or possible
• Application: Alpha One Gen II (1998 and newer), Bravo One / Two / Three, and selected Vazer sterndrive transom assemblies
• Kit Relationship: 879194A02 is the bearing assembly included within the 879194A01 Perma-Lube Gimbal Bearing Kit. The kit (879194A01) also includes the plug for the former grease-fitting location.
• Weight: 1.2 kg

Individual bearing vs. complete kit: 879194A02 is the Perma-Lube gimbal bearing assembly on its own. The 879194A01 kit includes this bearing plus a plug for the original grease-fitting location. If you are replacing the gimbal bearing for the first time on a transom assembly that previously had an older greaseable bearing, order the 879194A01 complete kit to get the required plug. If the plug is already installed from a previous Perma-Lube service, 879194A02 (the bearing alone) may be appropriate — confirm with your Mercury parts diagram.

What It Is

The 879194A02 is the genuine OEM Perma-Lube gimbal bearing for applicable Alpha One Gen II, Bravo, and Vazer sterndrive transom assemblies. It is a permanently sealed, pre-lubricated bearing that replaces earlier greaseable gimbal bearing designs. The gimbal bearing supports the sterndrive input shaft as it passes through the transom assembly, keeping the drivetrain centered and properly aligned while the drive trims and steers. Unlike the older bearing designs it replaces, 879194A02 does not use an external grease fitting — it is sealed for life.

Compatible Applications

Confirm fitment by MerCruiser sterndrive or transom assembly serial number and the Mercury parts diagram before ordering. Earlier MC-1, R, MR, Alpha One Gen I, and early Alpha One Gen II applications may use a different gimbal bearing configuration.

Alpha One Gen II

• 1998 and newer — Serial 0L100040 and up

Bravo One / Bravo Two / Bravo Three

• Selected Bravo transom assemblies — 1996 and newer
• Serial 0F730000–0M100000
• Serial 0M100001–0W249999
• Serial 0W250000 and up

Vazer

• Selected Vazer transom assemblies — 1996-and-newer family applications where the Mercury parts diagram specifies 879194A02

Not sure it fits? Send us your MerCruiser drive or transom assembly serial number before ordering.

Kit vs. Bearing — Which Do I Need?

• 879194A01 — Perma-Lube Gimbal Bearing Kit — Includes the 879194A02 bearing plus a plug for the original grease-fitting location. Order this if replacing an older greaseable gimbal bearing for the first time with the Perma-Lube design.
• 879194A02 — Perma-Lube Gimbal Bearing (this product) — The bearing assembly alone. May be appropriate for a repeat Perma-Lube replacement where the plug is already in place. Confirm with the Mercury parts diagram for the specific assembly.

Part Numbers

• 879194A02 — Current Mercury / MerCruiser OEM Perma-Lube gimbal bearing (individual bearing assembly)
• 30-879194A02 — Full Mercury / Quicksilver catalog number
• 879194A01 / 30-879194A01 — Complete Perma-Lube gimbal bearing kit (includes 879194A02 + plug)
• 862540A3 / 30-862540A3 — Earlier greaseable gimbal bearing kit superseded by the 879194A01/A02 Perma-Lube design

When to Replace

Inspect or replace the gimbal bearing when:

• A growling, rumbling, or rough bearing noise is present from the transom area under power or at idle
• The bearing feels rough or catches when rotated by hand during sterndrive removal
• Corrosion is visible on the bearing surface
• Water intrusion has reached the gimbal-bearing area (common with a failed or aging U-joint bellows)
• Excessive play is found in the gimbal housing area during sterndrive removal
• The U-joint bellows has failed, leaked, or is being replaced
• Major transom service or overhaul is being performed and the bearing has not been recently replaced

Gimbal bearing noise is easily confused with U-joint or drivetrain noise. The bearing, U-joints, and engine-to-drive alignment should all be evaluated together when diagnosing transom area vibration or noise.

Service Interval

Inspect at every bellows service. The gimbal bearing is accessed whenever the U-joint bellows are removed, making it a natural inspection point at each transom service. Mercury typically recommends bellows inspection every three years or 300 hours. If the bearing shows any roughness, corrosion, or play during a bellows service, replace it at the same time. Because 879194A02 is a permanently sealed Perma-Lube bearing, there is no greasing interval and no grease fitting to service.

Installation Notes

• Remove the sterndrive before accessing the gimbal housing and bearing
• Inspect the U-joint bellows for water intrusion and damage — replace if there is any doubt about their condition
• Inspect the input shaft and U-joints for wear or corrosion while the drive is removed
• Inspect the bearing bore in the gimbal housing for wear, scoring, or corrosion before installing the new bearing
• Install the Perma-Lube bearing squarely using the correct Mercury gimbal bearing installation and removal tools — do not drive the bearing in without the correct tool
• If converting from an older greaseable bearing, use the 879194A01 complete kit to ensure the plug for the former grease-fitting location is included
• Do not attempt to grease the sealed Perma-Lube bearing through the old fitting port
• Verify engine-to-drive alignment before reinstalling the sterndrive
• Follow the applicable MerCruiser sterndrive service manual for torque specifications and final assembly sequence

Technical FAQ

Q: What is the difference between 879194A01 and 879194A02?
879194A01 is the complete Perma-Lube gimbal bearing kit — it includes the 879194A02 bearing assembly plus a plug for the former grease-fitting location. 879194A02 is the bearing assembly alone. If you are replacing an older greaseable bearing with the Perma-Lube design for the first time, order the 879194A01 kit to get the plug. If the plug is already installed from a previous Perma-Lube service, 879194A02 may be the appropriate replacement — confirm with the parts diagram.

Q: Is 879194A02 the same as the older 862540A3 bearing?
No. 879194A02 is a Perma-Lube permanently sealed bearing. 862540A3 was an earlier greaseable gimbal bearing design that used an external grease fitting. The Perma-Lube design does not use the grease fitting, which is why a plug is included in the 879194A01 complete kit.

Q: Does 879194A02 fit earlier Alpha One Gen I or MC-1 / R / MR transom assemblies?
No. 879194A02 is for later Alpha One Gen II (serial 0L100040 and up, 1998 and newer) and applicable Bravo and Vazer transom assemblies. Confirm the correct bearing by the exact drive model and serial number.

Q: Do I need special tools to install this bearing?
Yes. Mercury specifies dedicated gimbal bearing installation and removal tools. Installing the bearing without the correct tools can damage the bearing race or the gimbal housing bore.

Q: Should I replace the bellows at the same time as the gimbal bearing?
Yes, in almost every case. The sterndrive must be removed and the transom disassembled to access the gimbal bearing. Since U-joint bellows are accessed during this same disassembly, replacing them at the same service avoids repeating the job if the bellows fail shortly after. Water intrusion from failed bellows is one of the most common causes of gimbal bearing damage.

Related Parts

• Mercury MerCruiser Perma-Lube Gimbal Bearing Kit 879194A01 (Complete Kit — Bearing + Plug)
• Gimbal Bearing MerCruiser / Volvo Penta 47-21001
• Mercury MerCruiser Gimbal Housing Bushing Kit 805041A2
• Mercury MerCruiser Gimbal Housing Washer 21900
• Mercury MerCruiser Gimbal Housing Lock Nut 11-34087
• Mercury MerCruiser Bellows Assembly 8M0062406
• Mercury MerCruiser Bellows Assembly 816431A1
• Mercury MerCruiser Sterndrive Transom Seal 455771

Parts Desk Insights

The most important thing to sort out with 879194A02 is the kit versus bearing distinction. Customers replacing a greaseable bearing with the Perma-Lube design for the first time need the 879194A01 complete kit to get the plug for the old grease-fitting location — ordering the bearing alone (879194A02) without the plug leaves an open port in the transom assembly. Customers doing a repeat Perma-Lube replacement where the plug is already in place can order 879194A02 directly. The scenario driving most 879194A02 orders is a transom service following a failed U-joint bellows — water intrusion past the bellows is the leading cause of Perma-Lube bearing wear on these drives, so the bellows condition and the gimbal bearing condition should always be evaluated together.