Should I replace the gimbal bearing?

[bullsnot]

I followed the procedure to winterize the boat last year by removing the stern drive and greased up the u joints and checked the gimbal bearing among other things. All checked out fine. This spring I took the boat out for the first time for about an hour to do a little fishing. I heard what sounded like an engine knock. Lifting the engine hatch revealed it wasn't coming from the engine. I ran the boat at fishing troll speeds for about an hour and took her home. In the driveway I determined the noise (although it sounded more subtle out of the water and harder to hear over the exhaust) sounded like it was coming from the transom. Nuetral, F or R didn't matter. Noise was the same. The strange thing was it was perfectly fine the last time I pulled her out of the water.

I decided to pull the stern drive to see if I could out what was going on. Water poured out and upon inspcetion I found that when I reinstalled the drive last fall the u joint bellow had folded slightly in one spot (maybe I forgot to grease it) and allowed water to fill up the u joint bellow. I inspected the u joints and no play what so ever. I packed them full of grease (until fresh grease oozed out and water quit coming out) and they seem just fine. The gimble bearing of course had water in it. So again I pumped grease in it until all the water was out of it and only fresh grease coming out. The bearing feels good but there are a couple of barely noticeable rough spots when I turn it by hand.

I have a big fishing trip planned this weekend. The question is should that bearing be absolutely be replaced before I use the boat again or am I ok to replace the bellow (which I have on hand) and at least see how it sounds? I have no experience with getting these things wet so I'm just not sure if its a "if it gets wet its done" kind of situation.

Thanks in advance for the replies.

88 Ciera 2450 5.7L Cobra

 

[bezerk1]

There are some on this forum that may get bent out of shape about my advice but, that is what a forum is for. Opinions. I would put some grease in it before I set sail. Halfway through my trip when everything is nice and warm, if possible, I would give it another pump or two. When I got back, give it another shot of grease. For the rest of the season I would make a concious effort to feel for vibation and listen for a rumble. Odds are good that you will be fine.

 

[bullsnot]

Just a follow up on this for whatever it's worth the bearing lasted a few more trips but I had to replace by the end of the summer. I don't know if the water ruined it or if it was already on its way out and that sped it up. Just wanted to update.