Outdrive Making Rattle Sounds

[robinsbd]

I have a couple of concerns regarding my outdrive.

1. When making low speed turns, I hear a rattle sound coming from the outdrive. This does not happen when driving straight. This only happens when making turns. Based on research I have done, it sounds like this could be the u joints. Is this normal or should I be concerned? What should be done to correct this?

2. When shifting from neutral to reverse, I hear a rattle or grinding sound. I suspect this is the clutch dogs grinding because it's not fully engaged. Early in the season, this always happened when shifting into reverse. At the end of the season, this behavior also started happening when shifting into forward. So, now it happens for both forward and reverse. On my last outing, it was so bad that I needed to really gun the throttle when leaving the dock in order to keep from stalling the engine. I don't seem to have any issues after throttling up. My understanding is that the solution is to adjust the shift cables.

Is it possible that issues 1 and 2 are related, or am I correct in thinking they are separate issues?

My boat is winterized and in storage now, but I want to review everything I want corrected before next season. Also, I miss working on the boat!! I guess I'm having withdrawals now in the off season.

 

[Mercruiser420]

1. Gimbal bearing, u-joints or both. Pull your outdrive and check the u-joints for play and spin the gimbal bearing by hand and make sure its not grinding. They would need to be replaced if they're bad. Anytime a rotating structure is worn/loose it will vibrate and destroy other components with it. Either one of those things being worn can hurt your coupler.

2. Does it engage when you shift or does it just grind?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Sounds like ya need new u-joints, 'n a new lower shift cable,....