Pulled drive because of loud tapping noise..

[superpop]

Assuming it was either the U joint or the gimbal bearing. How can you tell if the u joint is bad, there is absolutely no play in the joint and it feels smooth as silk. The gimbal bearing is the same way, spins as smooth as silk and no play. So why do I have a growling sound in the drive when I turn or raise the drive. when the drive is down and straight it is silent but the minute I put the drive up or turn the drive hard it growls at me. Anything else it could be, also how do you take the u joints out if I need to, are they pressed in or can i remove a ring to get them off. The have what looks like smooth buttons on the outsides of the joints.

Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Pulled drive because of loud tapping noise..

I've had TOO many ujoints fool me by feeling smooth. If you get a growling noise or feel when turning the wheel left or right. (Not lock to lock) then the ujoints are probably bad.
I've checked them, they felt good, pulled them apart because I Knew they were bad and sure enough, they had grooves in the cross piece.
If you've ever had water in the bellows with those ujoints and gimbal bearing, replace them both.
What are you working on, Merc, OMC, Volvo, and what year.

 

[superpop]

Re: Pulled drive because of loud tapping noise..

Sorry, its a 1996 VP SX drive on a 96 Wellcraft

 

[Don S]

Re: Pulled drive because of loud tapping noise..

I just re-read your post.
"when the drive is down and straight it is silent but the minute I put the drive up or turn the drive hard it growls at me."

Any drive will growl when hard over left or right, and they should never be run when full up.

 

[superpop]

Re: Pulled drive because of loud tapping noise..

Thanks Don, good to know, I figured that but wanted to verify.