Alph1 gen2 gimble bearing is tapping

[bboldt]

I have burned up 2 gimbal bearings one with less than 1 hr. on hose in the yard.
This last one started out as a slight clicking noise from gimbal area then became a knocking sound the longer I ran it approx. 3-5 min. I have used an alignment tool which slid in and out with ease. Thanks for any help

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

Re: trouble aligning engine 5.7 lt

Re: trouble aligning engine 5.7 lt

That seeems very unsual;

How did you determine it is the gimbal bearing (s)? Were they new or used bearings? Greased ? Outdrive trim position ?

 

[bboldt]

Alph1 gen2 gimble bearing is tapping

I have a 5.7lt Alpha 1 gen2 out drive and I have replaced 2 gimble bearings recently (one original and one with less than 1 hr on a hose in the yard) The one I replaced recently started to make a tapping sound and then began to knock. I shut the motor down grease the berring from the zert fitting . And restarted in 4-5 min the tapping resumed. When I reinstalled the motor I used a alignment tool and it slid in and out with ease. I have heard of a gimble bearing roaring but not knocking. I am at a loss any help would be great.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alph1 gen2 gimble bearing is tapping

I have a 5.7lt Alpha 1 gen2 out drive and I have replaced 2 gimble bearings recently (one original and one with less than 1 hr on a hose in the yard) The one I replaced recently started to make a tapping sound and then began to knock. I shut the motor down grease the berring from the zert fitting . And restarted in 4-5 min the tapping resumed. When I reinstalled the motor I used a alignment tool and it slid in and out with ease. I have heard of a gimble bearing roaring but not knocking. I am at a loss any help would be great.

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... What happened to the 1st replacement,..??

Are ya alignin' the grease holes,..??

How are the U-joints,..??

What brought about the 1st replacement,..??

 

[Don S]

Re: Alph1 gen2 gimble bearing is tapping

Start it up, and while it's knocking, grease the gimbal bearing (Yeah, your feet will get wet). Does the noise stop when you pump grease into it?

 

[bboldt]

Re: Alph1 gen2 gimble bearing is tapping

it was the orginal one. I had to pull the engine to replace the oil pain so i replaced the engine mounts also. reinstalled using a aligment tool. And when out running the boat for the first time after the install it began to roar so i replaced the original gimble bearring at that time. now the replacement is tapping/knocking.

 

[bboldt]

Re: Alph1 gen2 gimble bearing is tapping

the grease holes are aligined and the U-joints seam to be good they are tight with no play.

 

[Don S]

Re: Alph1 gen2 gimble bearing is tapping

the U-joints seam to be good they are tight with no play.

Lots of them feel fine, but make noise. Try my suggestion above.

 

[bboldt]

Re: Alph1 gen2 gimble bearing is tapping

Just for a little conformation. When you slide the alignment tool in and out with ease and have spline marks left in the grease on the tool the engine is aligned with the gimble bearing Right??

 

[Don S]

Re: Alph1 gen2 gimble bearing is tapping

Alignment is not your problem, do the test I mentioned and report the outcome.

 

[dingdongs]

Re: trouble aligning engine 5.7 lt

Re: trouble aligning engine 5.7 lt

has the engine been out as the starter ring and cushion drive may be loose and giving a false reading.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: trouble aligning engine 5.7 lt

Re: trouble aligning engine 5.7 lt

So is your drive causing the problem? Maybe the universal joints? Did you put the align tool in at 90, 180 and 270 degrees? Did you smell anything when the engine was running, burnt rubber? When this gimbal bearing is out put the alignment bar in the coupler and see how it feels.

 

[bboldt]

Re: Alph1 gen2 gimble bearing is tapping

Alignment is not your problem, do the test I mentioned and report the outcome.

So I ran the boat and no knocking sound..... I noticed that the outdrive was not all the way down, (it had approx. 3" for shaft showing on the hydro cylinders) I lowered the outdrive and no noise for 15min then I raised the drive a few inches and the knocking began when I lowered the drive the knocking stopped. Also I can't put the drive all the way down because it hits the trailer. When the knock sound began I put more grease in the gimble bearing zert this had no effect on the sound.

 

[Don S]

Re: Alph1 gen2 gimble bearing is tapping

When the knock sound began I put more grease in the gimble bearing zert this had no effect on the sound.

Ujoints are your problem. They may feel good, but when you get them apart to replace them, you will see the grooves worn in the cross piece.

 

[bboldt]

Re: Alph1 gen2 gimble bearing is tapping

Ujoints are your problem. They may feel good, but when you get them apart to replace them, you will see the grooves worn in the cross piece.

Thanks for the help. Any sugestions on where to find them. This is Mercruser specific right. Not just any one that will match up.

 

[Don S]

Re: Alph1 gen2 gimble bearing is tapping

There are aftermarket, do your ujoints have inside or outside keepers?

 

[bboldt]

Re: Alph1 gen2 gimble bearing is tapping

There are aftermarket, do your ujoints have inside or outside keepers?

View attachment 143244

I removed the outdrive today and I have ujoints with inside keepers. I assume the retainer nut needs to come off in order to remove the shaft to press out the old ujoints.