How to tell what to replace...?

[acex008]

Alright, so I am about to dive into the transom of my boat. I believe I need to replace the gimbal bearing after reading some posts on here and from a few people that have had to replace them before. Once I get the drive off, how will I know what I need to replace? More specifically, I'm going to replace the gimbal bearing, gaskets, o-rings, houses and bellows that come with the kit while I'm there, even if it's not the culprit of the noise... However, how will I know if I need to replace the u-joints or anything else in there? I've looked at the diagrams of the drive and such but I'm hoping to be able to fix what I need to while I'm in there so I don't have to take the drive off again until maybe next season. So to break it down into questions:

Q1: How can I inspect the U-joints to determine if they need to be replaced?

Q2: Is there anything else I should be doing while I'm in there for preventative maintenance?

Q3: Should I remove the trim arms completely or just disconnect them from the drive and tie them up against the swim platform? (i.e. Will they be in the way of being able to replace the bearing?)

Thanks in advance! I love this forum!

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: How to tell what to replace...?

Alright, so I am about to dive into the transom of my boat. I believe I need to replace the gimbal bearing after reading some posts on here and from a few people that have had to replace them before. Once I get the drive off, how will I know what I need to replace? More specifically, I'm going to replace the gimbal bearing, gaskets, o-rings, houses and bellows that come with the kit while I'm there, even if it's not the culprit of the noise... However, how will I know if I need to replace the u-joints or anything else in there? I've looked at the diagrams of the drive and such but I'm hoping to be able to fix what I need to while I'm in there so I don't have to take the drive off again until maybe next season. So to break it down into questions:

Q1: How can I inspect the U-joints to determine if they need to be replaced?
You really can't tell by visual inspection, if you see rust, then yes, or excessive stiffness.....
But you really can't see the insides where it counts....

Q2: Is there anything else I should be doing while I'm in there for preventative maintenance?
Replace the shift cable if you are doing the u joint bellows....
Q3: Should I remove the trim arms completely or just disconnect them from the drive and tie them up against the swim platform? (i.e. Will they be in the way of being able to replace the bearing?)
That will work, no need to completly remove them....

Thanks in advance! I love this forum!

What noise?....

 

[acex008]

Re: How to tell what to replace...?

well, its pretty loud and at certain speeds it pulsed. it would only change tonality when adjusting the trim, but not during turning. i was told by someone on shore that they could hear it too, so it is pretty loud. I've been told by 3 people that it's most likely the gimbal bearing... So that's where I'm headed first.