1973 888 outdrive noise

[sfinch]

Started my boat to go fishing on lake superior last fall in the yard to make sure everything was working ok. Was letting it warm up out of gear and started to hear a knock somewhere in the out drive. The noise changed as i raised and lowered the trim. My question is could it be the gimbal bearing or a u joint. The noise seemed to be in the drivshaft somewhere not in the lower unit. Any help on where to look first would be appreciated.

 

[Don S]

Re: 1973 888 outdrive noise

Could be either or both. Did it change when steering?

Basically, pull the drive and check the ujoints and gimbal bearing. And make sure there isn't water in the bellows.

That is something that needs to be done yearly, and include greasing the coupler spines and checking the alignment.

 

[sfinch]

Re: 1973 888 outdrive noise

Thanks for the fast reply. Had planned on pulling drive off anyway. I have not pulled it for 2 years so I guess that I have been slack on maintenance. Bellows had been changed the last time I took it apart. Should they still be good?

 

[Don S]

Re: 1973 888 outdrive noise

Should they still be good?

Should they, yes. But if something else failed, like the big quad ring got pushed out of place, you still get water in the bellows.