Replace Transom Shield on 2001 Larson?

[dabbenante]

2001 Larson 21ft runabout. Volvo Penta 5.0GLPFES, SX Outdrive.

Mid 2011 the gimbal bearing was growling and had mechanic replace it along with u-joints and u-joint bellow. Mid 2012 growling returned and mechanic repaired under warranty and could not determine how water entered the bellows (said everything was sealed properly and bellows in good condition). Two months later growling was starting again but before I could bring back to mechanic, the engine was flooded by Hurricane Isaac with water, presumably, being pushed through the exhaust.

Currently installing new engine with new mechanic. New mechanic could not detect how water was entering the U-joint area. He suggested that he could seal everything up (replace bearings, replace bellows, etc..) and see if that works or the other conservative option was to replace transom shield while engine was out and boat at his shop. He pulled the existing transom shield and did not find any damage and said the decision was mine. Brand new transom shield is $3,000. I have about $1,500 left from the insurance settlement but not sure if the $3,000 investment is a good bet especially since I am not sure where the water is entering. However, we get few opportunities to utilize the boat and the last thing I want is to be dealing with a growling gimbal bearing during the middle of the summer.

From a financial perspective it seems that an annual gimbal bearing replacement is better than a new transom shield (especially on a 2001) but do not want to be shortsighted while the engine is out and miss the opportunity to fix the potential problem and have a water tight, new engine boat for the summer.

Eager to hear feedback and advice if someone else has been in the same situation and what was the outcome.

 

[Don S]

Re: Replace Transom Shield on 2001 Larson?

The grease tube in the side of the gimbal housing going to the gimbal bearing is leaking. Only way I found to stop the problem is to remove the tube completely and install a grease zirk.

Here is how another member did the job. http://forums.iboats.com/volvo-pent...l-bearing-grease-tube-replacement-380502.html

 

[dabbenante]

Re: Replace Transom Shield on 2001 Larson?

Great info. Don, you are a Rock Star! A cold beer and shrimp po-boy on me if you ever visit the New Orleans area.

 

[dabbenante]

Re: Replace Transom Shield on 2001 Larson?

Don, my mechanic examined the grease tube and said their was no evidence of grease leaking out. Pumped it with grease and again no leaks. I am not there to look at it but my thought was that the water was coming in around the grease tube when submerged and was probably unrelated to the function of he grease tube itself; thus the problem is the fit of the grease tube into the housing which allows water in around the tube. Is that a correct assumption?

 

[Don S]

Re: Replace Transom Shield on 2001 Larson?

thus the problem is the fit of the grease tube into the housing which allows water in around the tube. Is that a correct assumption?

Assume anything you want, none I have repaired looked bad or leaked grease, but the bellows got water in it every year until the fix was done. Then the water in the bellows stopped.

 

[charlespenny]

Re: Replace Transom Shield on 2001 Larson?

Assume anything you want, none I have repaired looked bad or leaked grease, but the bellows got water in it every year until the fix was done. Then the water in the bellows stopped.

After complete disassembly to replace tube with fitting, how do you know what fixed it?

 

[vwbugman69]

Re: Replace Transom Shield on 2001 Larson?

Assume anything you want, none I have repaired looked bad or leaked grease, but the bellows got water in it every year until the fix was done. Then the water in the bellows stopped.

Don, What are some of the ways you have repaired them with success? Have you done it like the thread you referenced earlier?

 

[Don S]

Re: Replace Transom Shield on 2001 Larson?

After complete disassembly to replace tube with fitting, how do you know what fixed it?

One was a customers boat that stayed in salt water all summer, one was a brand new repower engine and drive (Charter boat) .
On the repower, after a couple weeks in salt water, the gimbal bearing started making noise, found water in the bellows. Bellows was checked out, installation was fine, and no holes. Put on new bellows. Suspected grease tube, so removed, used some locktite sealer and reset tube, new zirk. 2 weeks later it did it again. Bellows looked good, replaced again. Pulled tube and water in grease. Another new tube and zirk, used 5200 sealer. 2 weeks later, noisy gimbal bearing again. Removed tube threaded hole and added zirk as show, did not replace bellows. No more leak.