outdrive makes odd sound

[mcknight]

Hello everyone,

One of my outdrives makes a kind of grinding sound when it's put into gear. It's hard to explain so I made a couple recordings.

http://unreal.mcknet.com:8100/special/drives_3.m4a
http://unreal.mcknet.com:8100/special/drives_4.m4a

The drive in question is the port drive. The stbd drive makes almost no sound at all when it is in gear. The recording was taken while sitting idle in calm water. When the drives are shifted into and out of gear, you can hear a very, very different sound when comparing the two.

These are Bravo-One MerCruiser drives.

I can't say that I've noticed a performance problem, but I worry that the sound might be indicative of something going very wrong.

If you would, please listen to the recording and let me know what you think the problem might be. I have zero experience with drive units and could use any help you guys might be able to offer.

Thanks to you all in advance,
-Michael

 

[Bt Doctur]

sounds like a bad/dry bearing.

 

[Grub54891]

Sounds like it could be anything from a gimble to a lower gearcase problem. Some are quiet till load os applied,I'd be having her checked out before it gets worse...and it sounds bad.has this issue just showed up or has it been there awhile?

 

[tpenfield]

Yea, sounds like a bad bearing . . . Did it come on suddenly or over some course of time?

 

[alldodge]

Has a higher pitch sound then when mine had a damaged upper needle bearing. Sounds to me to be bearings and/or gears. Either way sound reminds me of the drive not having any oil in it. When was the last time the boat came out of the water for outdrive maintenance?

 

[thumpar]

It is hard to tell but sounds like the rhythm is the same as the engine RPM. That would make me think it is between the engine to something in the upper somewhere.

 

[mcknight]

You guys are good. It was a failing bearing in the lower unit. Thanks to you all for your help.