Gimbal bearing failing?

[erie_guy]

My starboard engine and SX drive has developed an annoying grinding/rattling sound. When at idle it is most notable. When running on plane the noise is not noticeable. I troll when fishing using one engine and switch to the other engine every couple of hours to keep the running times equal. The port engine is very quiet and you hardly tell it is running. The starboard engine rattles and has a very different sound. The engines are 5.7 liter VP with SX drives. The engines are in good shape and I am guessing the noise is from the gimbal bearing. I don't want to pull the boat to address this potential problem and would like to get to fall pullout before fixing the idle noise problem.

Will special tools be needed to pull and replace the bearing once I remove the stern drives? I plan on replacing the drive and exhaust bellows this fall and would like to verify if the bearing is the cause of the noise. What should I look for when inspecting the bearing ?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank in advance.

erie_guy
Port Clinton, OH

 

[jerryjerry05]

You'll need a slide puller and regular hand tools.
Waiting for the fall could cost you a housing or transom assy.
Once it starts to grumble it's talking to you.
You can try to get in the water with a grease gun and lube the gimbal.
You'll need to remove the prop as I'm gonna suggest that you start the motor as you lube it.

 

[erie_guy]

JJ05,

Thanks for the advice. I will give it the grease gun fix this weekend. Perhaps it might quiet it a bit - enough to get by till fall. I hope using the grease gun underwater will not force water into the seal/bearing area. I will let you know how it works out.

erie_guy

 

[jerryjerry05]

Shouldn't add any water.
Even if it did it would probably be such a small amount you'd probably not notice the added water to the water already there

 

[bruceb58]

I would be pulling the boat out of the water and then pulling the drive before I did anything else.

 

[erie_guy]

I tried to fix the "growling drive" this last weekend by greasing the gimbal bearing while in the water. I had the engine running and gave it three shots of grease. From what I could tell, there was no noticeable change in the sound level. Well it was a good try - but no cigar. I will use the boat lightly for the remainder of the season and service the drive after fall pull-out.

Yes, I do have other choices. I have my son's 16' outboard sitting in my drive as well as my wife's jet ski and my 14' fishing boat. Still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water this Fall.

erie_guy