U-Joints

[Cool It]

hey guys <br /><br />when I tilt the drive up at Idle speed to get into shollow water I here a rattling sound. would that be the u-joints and is it safe to tilt it up like that??? should I hear that sound or is there a problem??<br /><br />Are the U-joints part of the upper drive<br /><br />2000 5.7 EFI Mercruiser Bravo II<br /><br />Thank<br />Cool It

 

[vipzach]

Re: U-Joints

Are you tilting it up all the way, with the trailer button? It is not safe to do that, it tears up those u-joints. The noise you hear is probly those u-joints. I would get them checked, and don't run the motor with the drive that high.

 

[Cool It]

Re: U-Joints

Thanks<br /><br />If I just use the trim there is no problem -- but when I use the trailer button slightley higher than trim I start hearing the rattle.<br /><br />Just wanted to ask again -- are the U-joints in the upper drive??

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: U-Joints

They are in front of the drive and attached to it. They are what's inside your bellows. It is unwise to operate past the "trim limit'. You will destroy the u-joints by doing that, even at idle speed......JK

 

[Cool It]

Re: U-Joints

If I am hearing this rattle is that just telling me not to do this or does this mean I already have a problem???

 

[vipzach]

Re: U-Joints

Do you hear it any other time, if you are turning or anything. If not I would guess you are OK. I would have them checked at the end of the season when you do your maintenance.

 

[Cool It]

Re: U-Joints

I only hear it when I tilt it up -- do not hear them any other time. everything else sounds and runs fine. The drive was just off to put a new shift cable in-can the U-joints have not been attached properly- because I dont really recall haering this before although now I am not positive<br /><br />Thanks<br />Cool It

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: U-Joints

Pulling off the drive has nothing to do with how the u-joints are attached. The noise means 'STOP THAT!' .....JK

 

[flashback]

Re: U-Joints

Set your drive all the way down and turn the wheel all the way to the right and left running in forward around 1500 rpm and listen, if you hear the noise, then check the U-joints.. If you have been doing a lot of running with the drive up then I would replace the U-joints anyway...

 

[Cool It]

Re: U-Joints

what would the exspense be to have this done if needed-- by a mechanic.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: U-Joints

CoolIt<br />The noise means you are creating a problem.The drive needs to be pulled to see if the problem did any damage.<br /><br />We charge 70.00/hr plus parts.<br /><br />Don't tilt when underway.Just trim.<br /><br />DHP

 

[RandyJ]

Re: U-Joints

Yep.. and a shade tree like me gets frightening looks when I tell customers I don't work on boats for less than $50 per hour...they think I'm kidding ... I just snicker and let'em go to the marine where they are getting $82.50/hr. I'm cheap and I'm good at what I do and if I can't do it I send them on .

 

[rbezdon]

Re: U-Joints

A little while back it cost me $90 to have the drive pulled, ujoints and gimball greased and drive replaced. Now I have done it myself. Took me a couple of hours because it was the first time.

 

[Cool It]

Re: U-Joints

what should the parts cost????<br /><br />Thanks<br />Cool it

 

[hoot]

Re: U-Joints

just did my u-joints on a pre alpha. used merc brand parts, not aftermarket. u-joints-$100, gasket set-$15, lube-$10. if you are planning to try it yourself, you will most likely need a press and large socket to remove and install the u-joints, a special wrench to remove the drive shaft nut, a torque wrench for tightening up the drive shaft nut, cheater bar to get the high torque value on the nut, patience, and a manual or guide from a website such as http://www.boatfix.com/merc/mainmenu.pdf. the merc dealer gave me a ballpark of $600 for the job.

 

[Cool It]

Re: U-Joints

so bottom line if I only hear this noise when I tilt it up past the trim limit then I am ok?? I kind of got a mixed message or thats the way I am reading it <br /><br />Thanks<br />Cool It

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: U-Joints

You will be O.K. as long as it only makes the noise past trim, but you need to stop doing it or you will be replacing them....JK