500 hr drive maintenance

[77_starcraft]

1998 Baja 232 7.4mpi, bravo 1

I think I have a possible gimbal bearing noise, hard to tell for sure.

The drive has almost 500 hrs on it, and is 15 years old. About 4 years ago the drive was off to replace the engine coupler, everything else was in good shape (gimbal, bellows, ujoints).

I am wondering if I should replace the gimbal bearing, and bellows just because they are 15 years old, or if the inspection comes back good to leave things alone. Either way the drive is coming off for inspection, lube and alignment.

thanks

 

[alldodge]

Re: 500 hr drive maintenance

1998 Baja 232 7.4mpi, bravo 1

I think I have a possible gimbal bearing noise, hard to tell for sure.

The drive has almost 500 hrs on it, and is 15 years old. About 4 years ago the drive was off to replace the engine coupler, everything else was in good shape (gimbal, bellows, ujoints).

I am wondering if I should replace the gimbal bearing, and bellows just because they are 15 years old, or if the inspection comes back good to leave things alone. Either way the drive is coming off for inspection, lube and alignment.

thanks

I am hearing you have never replaced these items. Can't say a whole lot but I have a 1995 with 650 hours and nothing has been changed either. Boat only sets in the water these past few years for a month of so, and I put the drive all the way down for storage. Regular maintenance keeps everything in check.

As for your noise, if it is some kind of growl, pull the drive and put your fingers in the gimbal and rotate. Sounds like you probably keep up with (Edit: see below) your maintenance so boots would be nice but check them real good and decide.

Edit: except checking engine alignment (replacing coupler)

 

[77_starcraft]

Re: 500 hr drive maintenance

I store the drive down over the winter. I had to dig a hole in the ground to do so. The bellows look fine, no cracks.

The coupler was shot when I bought the boat. I was told the engine/transom assembly was aligned when I had it replaced.

I think I will just go ahead and get the bearing and bellow replaced to prevent future failure.

 

[alldodge]

Re: 500 hr drive maintenance

I store the drive down over the winter. I had to dig a hole in the ground to do so. The bellows look fine, no cracks.

The coupler was shot when I bought the boat. I was told the engine/transom assembly was aligned when I had it replaced.

I think I will just go ahead and get the bearing and bellow replaced to prevent future failure.

Sounds like a plan, and I'll resend my previous maintenance claim about the coupler

Have a good one :thumb:

 

[bspeth]

Re: 500 hr drive maintenance

dug a hole also,I put a 3 mil construction trash bag over the entire drive and chck periodically for water accumulation in the bottom of it,none so far as the snow melts and drips past where the opening of the bag is secured around the transom.i also do the same for tires,just split the bag down the back for the axles.

 

[77_starcraft]

Re: 500 hr drive maintenance

I ended up having the bearing and bellow replaced anyway. and the shifter boot. It cost more that i thought it should.... but its done. It would have taken me 3 times longer than they billed and also the special tools.... I have a problem paying for things i can do myself if I had the time, but I don't.

The shop showed me the parts they removed. the bearing was 'ok', the bellow were stiff and it was time to replace.

 

[alldodge]

Re: 500 hr drive maintenance

I ended up having the bearing and bellow replaced anyway. and the shifter boot. It cost more that i thought it should.... but its done. It would have taken me 3 times longer than they billed and also the special tools.... I have a problem paying for things i can do myself if I had the time, but I don't.

The shop showed me the parts they removed. the bearing was 'ok', the bellow were stiff and it was time to replace.

Hope it's all fixed but if the gimbal isn't ruff then you may still have the noise. Did they check the u-joints?