Alpha-1 MR: Slight knocking at max turn. New coupler,spline shaft, and u-joints.

[mylesm260]

Okay here's the story.

Bought the boat, Alpha-1 MR, 4.3 GM, blown motor.

Repowered by marinizing a 4.3 vortec, didn't align my motor, blew my coupler after about 20 hours of use. (altho the boat ran great)

Replaced coupler, in the process converted from the round style to the triangular style. Also replaced the spline shaft, u-joints, gimbal bearing, as well as the rear motor mounts (bellhousing that bolts on the back of the engine)


Now that it's all back together, I have a slight knocking sound (in gear or neutral) when I turn 100% left or 100% right. I can go to 90% and not hear a thing. Other than that, the boat runs fine.

I even removed the leg yesterday and verified the alignment, it's bang on (grease the same on the bottom of the align tool as the top) While it was apart, I examined the ujoints and spline shaft for any sign of wear, hoping it would reveal where the knocking sound is comming from, but it all looked fine.




So my question is. Why am I getting this knocking? I know a lot of you will not approve of me retrofitting the new coupler in, but, now, it's done.

I do still have my old spline shaft, which apears to be in good shape. so if it will solve the problem, I could go back to the old shaft.



In case anyone askes, here are some other new parts:

Bellows
Shift cable
water pump
shift shaft seal
Trim senders

Already mentioned up top:
u-joints
Spline shaft
coupler (old style was round, new style is triangular)
rear motor mounts (rear engine bellhousing)
Gibal bearing


Everything has been greased with the appropriate grease, etc etc

 

[mylesm260]

Re: Alpha-1 MR: Slight knocking at max turn. New coupler,spline shaft, and u-joints.

Has nobody here ever tried using a newer motor with the triangular coupler on an alpha-1 MR leg?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alpha-1 MR: Slight knocking at max turn. New coupler,spline shaft, and u-joints.

Ayuh,....

That's the Coupler used on most of those combinations....

The small round couplers went out at the end of the Pre-Alphas....

I don't know What your problem is,.. If you even Have a problem....

But,.... It's Not your choce of Coupler....

 

[mylesm260]

Re: Alpha-1 MR: Slight knocking at max turn. New coupler,spline shaft, and u-joints.

I bought a coupler kit that came with a new spline shaft.

The spline shaft looked different (slightly) than my old one. If I recall, there were some differences with the offset of the o-ring seals where they meet in the gimbal bearing.


So I'm using the newer style couple, along with the newer style spline shaft on my older alpha-1 MR outdrive.


Should I try using my original driveshaft with the new coupler?

I believe my original spline shaft is steel and my original coupler was aluminum, so even though my original coupler is stripped out, I believe my original spline shaft is still in perfect shape.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Alpha-1 MR: Slight knocking at max turn. New coupler,spline shaft, and u-joints.

I`m 99% sure the gimbal bearing is not fully seated and the input shaft is hitting.See if it goes in another 1/8th inch

 

[mylesm260]

Re: Alpha-1 MR: Slight knocking at max turn. New coupler,spline shaft, and u-joints.

I beat that thing in there pretty good....

Is it posible that spline shaft isn't compatible with my gimbal bearing and it hasn't gone in all the way?

Also, just to make sure I put the bearing in the right way, the openning in the bearing "holder" faces forward(towards the engine), correct?

I remember checking the manual, and it made sense (so it would be sandwedged between the bearing carier and the transom plate)

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Alpha-1 MR: Slight knocking at max turn. New coupler,spline shaft, and u-joints.

you beat it in with WHAT? Unless it`s supported during insertion the outer ring can deform and not allow it to be fully seated, Cant find my pic of the manual. Maybe someone else can post one.
As far as "The right way" ,the original manuals state that unless it has spun in the ring and damaged it ,the bearing can just be replaced. The "Matching Set Theory " Is Bull S#$T

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alpha-1 MR: Slight knocking at max turn. New coupler,spline shaft, and u-joints.

Is it posible that spline shaft isn't compatible with my gimbal bearing and it hasn't gone in all the way?

Nope.....

 

[mylesm260]

Re: Alpha-1 MR: Slight knocking at max turn. New coupler,spline shaft, and u-joints.

Uhhh

I used the old bearing carier and a 2x4.... The old bearing carier put even presure on JUST the new bearing carier (it wasn't touching the new bearing)....

I cut notches off the 2x4 so that it slid inside the old bearing carier.

Then I used a hammer and hammered the 2x4 until I felt the new bearing carrier bottom out.

The old bearing carier showed no signs of damage after, so I'm pretty sure the new bearing carrier is okay aswell.

 

[mylesm260]

Re: Alpha-1 MR: Slight knocking at max turn. New coupler,spline shaft, and u-joints.

http://www.mercstuff.com/gimbalbearingdriver.htm

Hmmm maybe I've answered my own question here.....

So now my question is:

Can I use the proper driver and fix this? or is my gibal bearing and carier most likely borked?

Also, is the boat safe to use as is for now? am I going to damage anything other than the bearing (asuming I don't turn 100%) ?