1987 3.0 Mercruiser making a whining noise when turning

[Donovan95]

1987 3.0 Merc with alpha 1 outdrive gen 1 Took the boat out for the first time of the year yesterday after changing the oil, gear lube and fuel filter the day before and im hearing a whining/grinding noise coming from what seems to be the outdrive whenever i turn the steering wheel one way or the other, there does seem to be a sweet spot right in the middle and the noise seems to get better when i have the boat in neutral. Any information would be much appreciated thank you

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.... Most likely it's the gimbal bearin' goin' out,.....

Did ya grease it,..??

 

[Donovan95]

I did not... ive read that there is no grease hole on the gen 1 would i have to pull the outdrive to grease the bearing? (Noob alert)

 

[thumpar]

It is the later ones that don't have the grease fitting or hole.

 

[Donovan95]

I dont remember seeing a grease fitting but I will have to double check when i get home but greasing it now probably wont do any good since its already making noise correct?

 

[Bondo]

I dont remember seeing a grease fitting but I will have to double check when i get home but greasing it now probably wont do any good since its already making noise correct?

Ayuh,..... It might quiet down for the season,....

The grease zert is starboard-side, 'bout mid-way up/ down, at the outer part of the transom housin',.....

 

[Donovan95]

Found the fitting last night now how much grease should i pump in there? since it probably has none..

 

[alldodge]

If you pull the drive I would pump it in untill you see it start to come out around the bearing. If you don't pull the drive, give it 5 pumps. At 5, this will probably be more then it needs, but won't be that much of a mess