Merc4.3 Alpha1Gen2 U-joints

[Toad67]

How would I know if the u-joints are bad?
I haven’t put this boat in the water yet, possibly tomorrow, but I’ve noticed this noise from day one, with engine running there is a a low pitched kinda clunking sound it’s not real loud but sounds outa place, engine idles smooth and noise seems to get lower with increase of rpm’s and don’t notice an outa place vibration just sounds like something that’s turning that’s loose or worn out or maybe it’s a normal sound but kinda doubt it. Don’t feel or hear a hard Thud or clank when putting it in gear. Maybe a Lake test will tell more.

Hopefully can gettter wet tomorrow.

Thanks

 

[Rick Stephens]

Did you have the drive off and lube them? If in doubt, inspect and lubricate.

 

[achris]

Pull the drive (10 minutes) and inspect the unis and gimbal bearing. while the drie's off, also inspect the bellows. Grease the unis and gimbal bearing and refit the drive (another 10 minutes)...

 

[Bondo]

How would I know if the u-joints are bad?
I haven’t put this boat in the water yet, possibly tomorrow, but I’ve noticed this noise from day one, with engine running there is a a low pitched kinda clunking sound it’s not real loud but sounds outa place, engine idles smooth and noise seems to get lower with increase of rpm’s and don’t notice an outa place vibration just sounds like something that’s turning that’s loose or worn out or maybe it’s a normal sound but kinda doubt it. Don’t feel or hear a hard Thud or clank when putting it in gear. Maybe a Lake test will tell more.

Hopefully can gettter wet tomorrow.

Thanks

Ayuh,..... You are lowering the drive when you run it, Right,..??..??

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

As Bondo said they will make noise if the drive is up too far and its actually bad for them.

If you getting the noise with the drive down and a hard turn all the way in either direction that's an indicator of u joints.
( I have seen boats with new ujoints do this a little so if you pull the drive you may want to inspect the parts as follows )

With the drive off the joints should move freely.

The ujoint shafts that contact the needle bearing can get deformed ( what called a point load ) and its difficult to see that without taking them apart but they will start to bind a little if its significant -- thus the movement test above

They often wear different than cars which often show a rust ring around the joint and fail from lack of lube. This is due to the harsher environment ( Bend angles , Constant load when on plane, etc )

 

[Toad67]

Thanks a bunch fellas!!

Headed to to lake now for 1st time boating, I’m very nervous about launching boat and loading it since I’ve never done it before.
see how it goes.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Thanks a bunch fellas!!

Headed to to lake now for 1st time boating, I’m very nervous about launching boat and loading it since I’ve never done it before.
see how it goes.

This is nuts. I don't know how anyone can buy a used boat and just drop it in the water over the objections of anyone who has experience with boats. I give up.

 

[Toad67]

Take it easy on me Rick, I’m not ignoring or going against your guy’s advice and suggestions, I very much appreciate the help, I was set on putting boat in water asap I knew it was a risk, it all went good, noise still persisted but lessened up here and there guess when the drive was at the right angle, and the kids and me had a great time.

 

[achris]

You not only took a boat with a know issue and put it in the water and ran it, without first investigating the issue, you also put children at risk!

Boats aren't cars. Cars breaks down, you get out and walk. Boat breaks down, you're stranded. Uni joint breaks and rips the bellows to shreds and the boat sinks.

Well I'm sorry, but you are a dangerous idiot with no sense of responsibility.

Sell that boat before someone gets hurts, or worse.

Chris....
​​​​​

 

[Water-is-life]

Seriously? I'm all about safety but how do you test a boat other than take it out? As Captain Ron says, if anything's going to happen, it's going to happen out there...learned that driving the Saratoga.

Wear life jackets, be smart. Act like a responsible adult. It's as much your world as it is anyone else's. Naysayers are all too common nowadays. If you listen to them, you'll never do anything.

 

[Toad67]

I Apologize to those I offended, I honestly didn’t know the severity of what could of happened if the Ujoints were to catastrophically fail.

 

[achris]

Seriously? I'm all about safety but how do you test a boat other than take it out? .....

Really? Read the original post. The OP already suspected he had a uni joint problem long before venturing out. Ignored advice and went anyway. Bloody stupid!

Chris....