Re: 95 OMC/Volvo-Penta, 5.0, SX cobra outdrive, Gimbel bearing service. Photo guide ?
So, with the Rams out of the way.. Tied up from both ends, hanging off of 5 winns transom U brackets,, convenient as these look like tow brackets but 4 Winn's says don't think about it..
But hanging off of both ends because I do not want to change the angles of the rubber hydraulic fluid tubes. especially that their ends are steel,, this area is the most susceptible to breakage. While the rubber appears to be in very good condition, no need to cause resistance in it because; the angles it's been sitting in by now, will be permanent, 'Fixed' Bending it in angels it has not been in for so long, will add stress to its future support, possibly create a microscopic crack where otherwise it should be presumed hardened even in the slightest degree..
U-Join inspection, Pass, A: Not new tight but zero slop, grease wet, absolutely no irregular movement. Evidence of previous service as the zerts retain residual grease from its last maintenance.
Gimbel Bearing, Fail: while it is tight, there is substantial grease surrounding it which is fairly freash..
However, the shaft is dry and shows heat,, a rub burn on one half in the spot that it contacts the bearing..
That's a guarantied fail in my book, no matter if, the bearing rollers are tight inside of their housing or not.. and says; very good possibility the out drive is out of alignment.. If I could match that rub burn on the shaft into the bearing,, where ever the Bering shows the driest spot,, could, tune the alignment dead on target.. but that never happens,, lol.. by the time that bearing can be examined,, it'll be covered in grease..
What got me into this mess?? Got took by a con artist, who proclaimed [In print]
Engine and out drive "Excellent condition".
long story short, while it was his personal boat, 1 month later I learned he 1. owns and runs a auto fix-up shop, 2. sells cars 'Pay by the Week', a half of a block from his 'fix-up' shop..
The boat was capable of water test,, however, Myself not familiar with out drives,, but I heard a noise I didn't like when bought it. The ignorance of thinking "a noise that seemed to be limited to one area,, couldn't be too bad if it's running."
He'd mentioned that the prop was relatively new, because the old broke.. That would have been the sign for an experienced boater.. and obviously why that unit is most likely out of alignment,, (I never dreamed of such a thing before, lol)
He also said "I am Not a boat mechanic" a few times..,, claiming as if he did not do repairs.. however the prop-shaft was terribly bent, and the spline was twisted.. Even his little Fix-it-shop knew this as the forced that new shaft into the twisted splin..
Whelp that was the killer because he continued to claim it was a year ago, and he'd taken it to the lake several times since..
yada yada yada bla, bla bla,,..
anyways,, Yes i had the lower unit rebuilt,, and now chasing down that Gimbel noise,, hopefully,, the upper unit's bearings are not damaged too..
Gonna have to do some investigating,, could use any tips about what visual inspection to do to the upper unit, while the out-drive is off..
Fear?/ yup.. once he bent that prop-shaft, stuck another prop on it,, this is my first boat mach experience but I know gears and auto mechanics, none professionally,. Stuck that prob and played in the water again,, the vibration going through the whole mechanical system,, could go right strait to the crankshaft's bearings..
At least that U-joint is happy,, soo, and but,, everything before it is still subject to fail..
Tip for inspecting the upper unit for vibrations which could be hurting the upper unit's bearings and or shaft would be very helpful at this point..
