Growl on deceleration 4.3L VP V6 SX Drive

[superpop]

Hi Folks. I just got my boat all back together after pulling the motor and replacing all rubber seals on the motor. Hopefully I do not have another oil leak any time soon. Also changed the manis and risers. So I got the drive back on and lined up just right but the drive growls quite a bit when the drive is in any position other than down and straight. I know it will growl a bit when it is up but it seems to do it when I rev it up to around 1500 on the deceleration side when it is up at all. The gimbal bearing spun real smooth and nice when the drive was off and the u joints felt real tight as well. Any ideas what might be wrong. Drive was also full with gear oil as well. Also a part number for the u joint it is drive PN#TSK SX CL SN# 4111544673. I would like to pick up the U Joint at Napa rather than ordering the same thing with a VP part number and 100% markup. Also, is it easy to change out the u joint? I am fairly confident with mechanical stuff.

 

[Don S]

Re: Growl on deceleration 4.3L VP V6 SX Drive

It sounds like the ujoints. I've found bad ujoints many times that felt good till you take them apart. They usually have grooves worn in the cross piece bearing surface.

 

[superpop]

Re: Growl on deceleration 4.3L VP V6 SX Drive

Anyone have a PN for the Bearings and how hard it is to get them apart. Do I need a press for this?

 

[superpop]

Re: Growl on deceleration 4.3L VP V6 SX Drive

Sorry, I meant a part number for the U Joints

 

[superpop]

Re: Growl on deceleration 4.3L VP V6 SX Drive

Put the new u joints in and the old ones looked fine. Real smooth and no grooves. Could an alignment issue cause this growling. The gimbal bearing spins silky smooth. I thought I had it aligned but maybe not. any opinions on this.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Growl on deceleration 4.3L VP V6 SX Drive

Bad alignment could cause it. Did you check alignment when you put it all back together? How did the gimbal bearing feel?

 

[superpop]

Re: Growl on deceleration 4.3L VP V6 SX Drive

Bearing feels silky smooth and shaft slips right into coupler. I know it is not the motor as the growling isn't there when the drive is off.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Growl on deceleration 4.3L VP V6 SX Drive

If you didn't use an alignment bar, there is no way you would know if the alignment was good.