Grinding noise when turning 1969 Volvo Aquamatic outdrive

[Skidude17]

I had my 1969 19' Glasply with a Buick 225 V6 engine and Volvo Aquamatic outdrive out shrimping this weekend, and started to hear a grinding noise coming from the outdrive halfway through the day. While motoring back to the ramp, I noticed it was worse when I turned, and I could almost get it to stop if I had the drive going straight. I haven't inspected it yet, but I'm thinking the U-joint may be going bad.
1. Is it easy to find a replacement U-joint? If so, where should I start looking?
2. How hard is it to replace the U-joint?
3. Should I consider a replacement outdrive? If so, how expensive and difficult is that?
4. I don't know the exact model of my Aquamatic. This is a fairly poor picture, but hopefully some can help me with identifying my outdrive. I will try to add some more pics tonight.

 

[Scott Danforth]

most likely a u-joint. you will have to pull the drive to check

how often have you serviced the bellows? normally the U-joints last forever until the bellows fails and fills with water, taking out the u-joints, then the input shaft seal, then the gearbox.

replacing the U-joints is fairly straight forward with the manual and proper tools

replacing the outdrive would require you to replace with another Volvo AQ series drive due to the transom hole. or you could rebuild your transom

expense and level of difficulty are relative to your pocket book and abilities.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Looks like a 270 or 275 drive.

 

[Skidude17]

Looks like a 270 or 275 drive.

Thanks Jerry. Do you know where I can find a manual for it? Is there a marking on the drive, so I can tell which one it is?

 

[captmello]

That is most likely a 250 outdrive or an early 270. Boatinfo.no has manuals to view.

 

[jeffnick]

Looks a lot like my 250. This write up is a little lengthy but may shed some light.
http://72land-n-sea.blogspot.com/2015/07/houseboat-requirements.html
BTW - you don't need top pull the entire outdrive to replace the U-joints. You can just remove the upper third of the Aquamatic - the transmission.
http://boatinfo.no/lib/volvo/manuals/aq250drive.html#/0

 

[Skidude17]

No Title

Looks a lot like my 250. This write up is a little lengthy but may shed some light.
http://72land-n-sea.blogspot.com/2015/07/houseboat-requirements.html
BTW - you don't need top pull the entire outdrive to replace the U-joints. You can just remove the upper third of the Aquamatic - the transmission.
http://boatinfo.no/lib/volvo/manuals/aq250drive.html#/0

Thanks for the info. Jeff and mello. I haven't had a chance to upload those pics I promised because I've been travelling for work, and I had a hiccup last time I was on the water due to some bad weather. Here are profile pics from either side of the outdrive.

 

[Skidude17]

After Looking at the manuals, I think I have a 250 or a 270. Does anybody know any discerning differences?

 

[Skidude17]

most likely a u-joint. you will have to pull the drive to check

how often have you serviced the bellows? normally the U-joints last forever until the bellows fails and fills with water, taking out the u-joints, then the input shaft seal, then the gearbox.

This is only the second season I've had the boat, and I'm new to inboards. What do I have to do to service the bellows?

 

[Scott Danforth]

You pull the drive and inspect the u joints and pds, looking for signs of water intrusion in the bellows. Then, ever few years, you replace the bellows as preventative maintenance. Usually done during winterization