Bad Growl

[i4110peter]

Haven't posted in a while 'cause I've been having too much fun. This last year while crabbing there has been a very loud growl when the engine is running. So loud that I can't be heard over it. Engine runs great as does out drive.(Mercruiser 165 I/O). Thinking it is the shaft bearing between the out drive and the engine. Last dissasembly, was not able to get at the carriage bearing. Thinking of removing the out drive, running engine to see it noise is still present. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks to all.

[THEFERMANATOR]

What you are talking about is called a gimbal bearing. It is greasable from the stern when the boat is out of the water. I know most overlook it as it is up on the transom assembly hidden unless you know to look for it. Pop the outdrive off and run it for q few seconds, if the nosie is gone, then reach in through the opening and spin the gimbal bearing to see if it is good or not. If it is bad good luck, they can be a PAIN to change out.

[spareparts]

like Ferm said, its probably the gimbal bearing. When you are running the engine on the hose, trim it down and turn it side to side, if it changes tone, its probably the gimbal bearing. Pull the drive off and have a look. The bearing isn't too bad, but what caused the bearing to go out is the big question. Has water gotten high inside the boat? Has the drive shaft bellows been replaced in the past few years?

[i4110peter]

Thanks to all for the input. I have had the motor out, as seen in my photo album (Pete's '73 V20 steplift), and have the motor alignment tool. I may take it to a shop to have the bearing replaced and have the motor alignment checked professionally.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Thanks to all for the input. I have had the motor out, as seen in my photo album (Pete's '73 V20 steplift), and have the motor alignment tool. I may take it to a shop to have the bearing replaced and have the motor alignment checked professionally.
You can rent a slide hammer from AUTOZONE, ADVANCE, CARQUEST, O REILLYS, and maybe a couple others and do the bearing yourself. The trick I found is to turn the actual bearing until you can slide it out of the aluminum sleeve, then use the slade hammer directly on the aluminum sleeve, then they come out fairly easily. If they're still stuck, then you can drill the aluminum sleeve to relieve the stress on it, and they pop right out.

[spareparts]

we used to just flip the bearing in the sleeve and just replace the bearing, but now there are so many different manufactures of gimbal bearings, I prefer to replace the whole thing as an assembly. I can't remember when they stopped using them, but some of the earlier transom plates had a lock ring to hold the bearing in place, I knew a guy that slide hammered a gimbal bearing out without removing the ring, he screwed up that transom plate. Wipe the grease off the bearing and look to make sure yours doesn't have a ring

[i4110peter]

Ah #%$*&! Looks like the shaft is frozen in the bearing so the outdrive won't just slide off.
Fun and games......

[THEFERMANATOR]

The shaft sits inside the bearing on 2 orings, so it shouldn't be frozen to it. The outdrive is a bit tight to get out, but should come off. I've had to use a prybar to get em started before, just becareful prying against the bellhousing as they are actually pretty fragile.

[spareparts]

you did put the shifter in forward gear before attempting to pull the drive, didn't You?


If its still stuck, set the trim cylinders about halfway out, turn the ends of the cylinders 90 degrees, raise the drive up and let it hit the trim pin against the cylinder ends, let it slam against them once or twice and the drive should com off

[i4110peter]

Well, thought I would post an update. We may loose a very old friend of 35 years. Turns out after the shop finally got the outdrive removed, drive shaft out, bell housing removed, there appears to be considerable deterioration of the wood structure in the transom. I don't have the knowledge to do this myself and don't know if I can swallow the 6K figure to get it repaired. Gonna bring her home and think about it. Will let you all know what we decide. God bless.

[bradford]

Sorry to hear that. Give it some time. Lots of people here to give FREE knowledge and advice on fixing her.

[i4110peter]

Just can't give her up that easy. I found someone who does excellent fiberglass boat repair and he is going to replace the transom. I will be removing the engine, and other dis-assembly in preparation. We are so happy and this will be much less expensive that purchasing another boat. We will be ready for fall salmon and crab! '0-4-Pete's-sake!

[i4110peter]

After looking at the cost of replacing her (my boat, not my wife) we've decided to have her repaired. Tomorrow it's off to the transom doctor. I then need a new outer transom plate. And this all started with the gimbal bearing!

[bradford]

Yep it's usually cheaper to keep her, both wives and boats.

And both are more desirable without soggy transoms too.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Yep it's usually cheaper to keep her, both wives and boats.

And both are more desirable without soggy transoms too.
I like a soft transom for one, not the other. I like a softail ride myself.

[i4110peter]

Here are the latest pics of the transom repair. Waiting for the transom plates to be installed before bringing home for engine install.

[bradford]

Good deal, she'll be good as new or even better!