Bravo one noise while turning

[1970lark]

Hi,

First post here. I have a 1995 Mercruiser Bravo one that makes noise while turning. Figured it was the u-joints, replaced them, noise is still the same. The gimbal bearing seemed ok so I left that alone. I think I might go back and replace that anyways, but my question is, is there anything else that can make this noise? There didn't seem to be any side play where the driveshaft goes into the upper unit, but the noise seems to be coming from this area. It is more of a rattle than a growl, and it makes the noise in neutral, reverse, or forward gear. And it is fairly quiet at idle, but makes lots of noise slightly above idle, like 1200 rpm and up. TIA.

Steve

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bravo one noise while turning

It is more of a rattle than a growl,

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard Steve,...
I donno about your Bravo, but you're about to drop off page 1, so I'll bump ya back up for another go...

Gimbels usually growl, rather than rattle,... Might be somethin' in the Upper...

 

[1970lark]

Re: Bravo one noise while turning

Thanks Bond-o. That's kinda what I was thinking. I had a bad gimbal in another boat and it didn't sound like this. Looks like this is going to get really expensive.

This was a "project boat" when I bought it, and seemed like a good deal at the time, lesson learned I suppose. I'm guessing this will cause some real damage if I keep running it like this, I've owned this thing for over a year and only had it out once!

 

[sunsetter]

Re: Bravo one noise while turning

don't have a bravo one but my alpha gen2 made a knocking noise while turning at just above idle. thought it sounded like bad u-joints as well. i took apart and u-joints were fine and gimbal bearing was smooth turning but not perfect. put new bellows and a new gimbal in and the knocking is gone. so i would say put new gimbal in anytime you have a unusual noise back there.

 

[1970lark]

Re: Bravo one noise while turning

Thanks for the replies. I think that's what I'm gonna do. Took the boat out on the water a couple times over the weekend..... it's not near as loud as when it's running on the hose, but it's still there, guess the water is muffling it down. Gimbal bearing is cheap (comparatively speaking, lol) so I think I'll try that first.