lower unit installation problem continued

[andrewterri]

I am starting a new post since the last one is kind of old. I have a 89 searay 3.0 alpha one. I was not able to get the outdrive on to began with but with everyone's help I was able to get the alignment correct which was my problem. When I went to the lake last week I was still hearing a ticking when I steer to port or stern. I was thinking u joints since the gimbal bearing was just replaced ( that is why I had the alignment problem to began with), Pulled the drive to change u joints and checked alignment and its way off again. Only one inch of splines marks showing and it took force to just get that. What is going on? Are the motor mounts bad? I have checked the coupler and it spines true. Teeth still look perfect on shaft because I will not use the boat until it is right. I go back to the dock when there is a problem but it is costing us family lake time and I don't know where the problem lies. I have a factory manual on order since the original was destroyed (thank you dogs!!) Do you guys know what the torque spec is on the rear mounts. I can google but trust you guys more. I can not download the manual here on Iboats.

 

[andrewterri]

I think I might be looking at a coupler. I bumped the engine to turn it roughly 180 and now alignment is on. bumped it again and now its way off. sounds like coupler correct?

 

[airshot]

Have you checked the condition of the wood in your stringers and transom. Soft or rotten wood can cause continuous alignment problems. As far as downloading the manual, use a thumb drive to download, much quicker and then you can open at your leisure and only print pages you need. That how I do it.

 

[andrewterri]

there is rotten wood in the boat and on both sides of the engine where the battery and trim pump is at. I imagine it is at the stringers as well. The motor feels solid and I can not move it, however, I know that does not mean anything. is there any trick to checking the coupler besides starting it and looking at the coupler from the outdrive side? Is tapping the stringers the best way to check for rot?

 

[Bt Doctur]

With the 3.0 you either have collapsed rear mounts or a rotted front mount. side stringers dont matter

 

[alldodge]

I think I might be looking at a coupler. I bumped the engine to turn it roughly 180 and now alignment is on. bumped it again and now its way off. sounds like coupler correct?

Sticking to the original thread would help me review what was said previously. If This is the same issue where I mentioned to leave the alignment bar in and start the motor. You said the alignment bar stated perfectly smooth, but seam to also remember the person in the boat said the motor was jumping all over the place.

If this is the same issue, that should of flagged me to say your motor mounts are shot and the coupler is warped. If this is the same issue I can explain my thoughts, if not, I'll go back and sit down

 

[andrewterri]

it is the same problem Alldodge. I guess I have continued on with the old thread. The reason the motor was jumping around is because in all my wisdom I did not tighten down the front mounts while making my alignment adjustments. the motor does not shake now and it feels solid. the rear bolts are tight as well as the front. alignment is only good after turning the engine over a little bit. I was thinking a warped coupler since I can bump the engine and get it right. I did not know I could leave the alignment bar in and turn the motor over, I must have missed that part. I will insert the bar and start it. Doing this will not tear up my gimbal bearing?

 

[andrewterri]

If the bar wobbles while running the boat how will I know if it is the coupler or motor mount? Is there a trick to checking if the mounts are bad? I have tapped the transom and it sounds solid.

 

[alldodge]

. Doing this will not tear up my gimbal bearing?

No, but then again don't do it for long, your just wanting to see if it try's to wobble

Ya know, being 180 should not be an issue. You should be able to smack the alignment bar at the 180 spot and slide it back in easy. Something is out if this can be done, but as you say, something isn't right.

 

[alldodge]

If the bar wobbles while running the boat how will I know if it is the coupler or motor mount? Is there a trick to checking if the mounts are bad? I have tapped the transom and it sounds solid.

If it wobbles it's the coupler in my opinion

 

[alldodge]

Got to thinking about the gimbal bearing and the damage comment. If the alignment bar would damage the bearing, can ya imagine what would happen to it if the drive was installed. Still don't see how the bar would damage anything

 

[andrewterri]

as soon as my wife is done feeding the baby we will go do it and I will report back. thank you guys for all the help

 

[andrewterri]

now Im more confused. I put the bar in and turned the engine over and it started and ran it for about 3-5 second and the bar spun true. if it wobbled it was so slight that I could not feel or see it. how could a warped coupler not make the bar wobble?

 

[alldodge]

how could a warped coupler not make the bar wobble?

Agree, so how also could it be true and not align after turning 180 degrees. Either you don't have a problem, the coupler is tripped out, or how ever your using the alignment tool is just not correct

 

[andrewterri]

I am going to try this again and carefully hold the bar to get a better feel for a wobble. There is no question the alignment was off when I pulled the drive. not sure if bumping the engine took it 180 degrees but the alignment bar slide right in and out with three fingers. even if the mounts were bad I would still expect some wobble in the shaft. there is no way the new gimbal bearing could be causing this is there?

 

[andrewterri]

tried it again and no wobble in the bar. it went in fairly smooth and after turning the engine over if was hard to pull it out. I was rocking the boat to remove the alignment bar. any ideas?

 

[flipbro]

Have you seated that bearing? Put your alignment bar in give it a good wack side to side then up and down with your hand, or rubber mallet . Then check.

 

[andrewterri]

I did that when I was first having problems. I can try it again. it was pretty solid and not wanting to move. the bearing is mercruiser's sealed bearing. there is a yellow dot on it and I have it facing me or the outdrive. the dot is in the 6 o'clock position. could that have anything to do with it?

 

[alldodge]

I think your coupler is warped, but this is just my opinion

 

[andrewterri]

that's what I am thinking to. I think the bar is not wobbling because the new bearing tolerances are so tight.