Need help with input shaft wear...

[djhoosier]

I've recently bought a '85 Sea Ray with a 230MR. During idle there is a knocking noise at the back of the engine/transom area. I went ahead and removed the outer drive and fired the engine. THe noise is not there.

THe u-joints feel tight and the gimbal bearing feels smooth. THe seal behind the bearing is leaking some oil, but there was lube is the upper drive.

I've attached a picture...any ideas where this wear ring is coming from (pointed at with the screwdriver). THink this might be part of my noise problem.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Don S]

Re: Need help with input shaft wear...

That wear spot is from the seal just in front of the gimbal bearing. it desn't stop oil or grease, or prevent water from getting in. It just keeps most of the dirt out. It's not your problem.
Get a mechanics stethiscope and listen to the drive, Could be a chip off a gear in the upper.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Need help with input shaft wear...

You wont get knocking from there, hard to tell a U joint is bad untill you take it apart.But with no load on the prop it most likely wouldnt be heard.Gimbal bearing, if it feels smooth as silk you wont hear knocking. You could have a chipped gear in the drive.

 

[djhoosier]

Re: Need help with input shaft wear...

Thanks for the help.

I took the top cover off the top gearbox and found no chipped gears or anything I would consider bad.

I spent a little more time on the u-joints. How much side to side play is allowed within the joint? I do have .020-.030" side play (guesstimating) in one of the joints. Would that be enough to allow knocking?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Need help with input shaft wear...

There is NO side play in a U joint.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Need help with input shaft wear...

I do have .020-.030" side play (guesstimating) in one of the joints. Would that be enough to allow knocking?

Ayuh,...... That's Enough.......

As stated by BD,..... 0 lash is what you're lookin' for......