U- Joints?

[dipthenet]

Thought I had a power steering problem, tightened belts, bleed lines, and checked fluid. That didnt change anything. After reading some posts here I am thinking I may need to replace my u-joints.

1989 Alpha 1
Had all new bellows,gimbal bearing and shift cable replaced this spring. First launch the boat would vibrate while steering to port and more so to starboard. It has changed a bit, and now I hear a growl or noise of some sort while i turn hard underway. My dilema is that I dont want to change the u-joints to only find out after install that it didnt help. Or pay someone to do it only to find out its a different issue. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: U- Joints?

Why would you go through all that work and NOT change the u-joints while you were at it?? wow

 

[NHGuy]

Re: U- Joints?

Definitely U joints. If you paid someone to do this complain that the work did not succeed. Also they should recheck the engine alignment, and recheck the gimbal bearing condition & alignment while in there. If you find water in the bellows when you get in there check the rest of the seal points. Includes the new bellows for the drive shaft and shift cable, plus the old shift bushing & seal in the bell housing.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: U- Joints?

Why would you go through all that work and NOT change the u-joints while you were at it?? wow

I have done all of those plenty of times and not replaced the u-joints.

I agree that the problem with u-joints is that they can feel good in your hand but be bad under a load. You really have to have been running the boat to see if they are bad though. You won't know if they were really bad until you take the joints apart.

 

[dipthenet]

Re: U- Joints?

I paid a guy to do the work. He commented that I may need to replace them. I then said, lets do it and he assumed, key word, that they would be good for this year. I have since contacted him and hope to have him out tomorrow. One thing that i don't understand, I pulled the boat last fall, removed the drive and stored it in my barn. I had no issue or vibration last fall. How could they go bad by sitting in my barn on a stand?

 

[SSSuper83]

Re: U- Joints?

One word..MOISTURE.