Tapping (banging?) in stern gearcase when raised

[jim@scipio]

Howdy,<br />I just started getting a scary banging in the upper unit of my stern drive when raised (out of gear or in gear). If I lower the stern it goes away. Especially scary because I have a houseboat trip scheduled in 5 days.<br />My boat: <br />1988 Stingray 19' bowrider<br />Mercruiser alpha one 5.0l<br />Lower unit/impeller rebuilt last yr<br /><br />Any ideas? I'd also appreciate any opinions on whether I'd damage it more if I run on it (w/ stern completely down, of course!).<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Jim

 

[art_yatsko]

Re: Tapping (banging?) in stern gearcase when raised

If it was a car I'd say you had a bad CV joint in the front axle. I remember a girlfriend who had the problem for years in her Mazda. It only made noise when she turned the car hard. Wonder if it's a bad universal joint, or maybe a worn gimbal bearing would give the same noise. Check out http://dougrussell.com/partscatalog/components/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewparts&colid=04&coldesc=ALPHA%20ONE%20SS%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%201986%2D1989&index=932&block=2&Blo ckNumberList=33,6,11,9,18,2,14,15,21,22,3,0,7,12,16,19,23,8,13,17,20,24,1,10,4,5,29,28,27,26,36,38,39,37,35,34,25,31,32,30

 

[Bondo]

Re: Tapping (banging?) in stern gearcase when raised

Wonder if it's a bad universal joint, or maybe a worn gimbal bearing would give the same noise.

That's My Guess......

 

[Airpacker]

Re: Tapping (banging?) in stern gearcase when raised

Your universal joints are worn. If you make a habit of running the boat with the trim way up for shallow water operation, you will greatly accelerate the wear of the joints. Fix it before it explodes or the price will climb exponentially.

 

[jim@scipio]

Re: Tapping (banging?) in stern gearcase when raised

Yeah, that's what I thought. We frequent a lake that's shallow near shore. Prob happened there.<br /><br />Luckily, the lake we're going to next week is deep - deep (200ft)! As I said, it sounds okay w/ trim down. Could we make it thru 4 days of use?<br /><br />Jim

 

[qystan]

Re: Tapping (banging?) in stern gearcase when raised

I had that after the mech changed my u-joints. Changed the gimbal bearing, still there. Finally after about 10+hrs the u-joint gave way, with drive trimmed down. New bellows torn, broke off pieces of the gimbal housing- luckily could still mount the bellows. Costed me another bellow, other u-joint may no longer last as it got wet, gimbal bearing also at risk. If you can get it fixed asap, takes no more than half a day.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Tapping (banging?) in stern gearcase when raised

Fix it. A litle time and $$ now might save your vacation. If the u-joint goes catastrophic, it can tear the bellow, which then leads to the possibility of a lot of water entering your boat. Pull the drive if you can, will cost you less this way since you can just drop off the drive. <br /><br />Once the joint is damaged (which it sounds like it is) it will fail, it's just a matter of time, drive up or down. Fix it.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Tapping (banging?) in stern gearcase when raised

How far do you have the drive up? Any drive will knock around if the drive is up to high and you should never run your motor with the drive all the way up. #1 no no.

 

[BMDODGE]

Re: Tapping (banging?) in stern gearcase when raised

sounds like drive is up too high while running - do you have any pic's of boat ?? have an 88' stingray also... bruce

 

[jim@scipio]

Re: Tapping (banging?) in stern gearcase when raised

Thanks to you all for replying. I (finally) found a place that'll look at it b4 next week. At least we'll find out yes or no by Fri.<br /><br />BMDODGE - yup - I have pics. Ours is a white/grey/yellow SVB 198xl. Let's just say that the skipper (not me - I ride and repair) has admitted to starting the engine w/ the stern "trailered."<br /><br />Thanks again,<br />Jim/Scipio

 

[jlshields]

Re: Tapping (banging?) in stern gearcase when raised

Jim, be sure they inspect the center section closely, the piece between the 2 u joints.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Tapping (banging?) in stern gearcase when raised

please post on what you had to do to replace the u-joint getting ready to do one myself. regards fred