Knocking heard while docking

[84EdH]

I had my 79 Century with MC1 outdrive and and a newly built 1995 merc 5.7 out yesterday on the lake. When I was bringing the boat in to the dock, with much turning and shifting, I started to hear a knocking noise when the steering was turned either all the way or almost all the way to either side.

I loaded the boat up took it back home and started the engine on muffs. No noise at all with engine in gear, out of gear, straight turned etc.

My guess is this is a u-joint problem. I had the driveshaft and ujoints in my hand a week ago. they seemed a little stiff, but not sloppy.


Does this sound like ujoints or possibly something else?

help appreciated

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Knocking heard while docking

That would be my guess also. In the water they had some load on them, but on the muffs there would be no load.

 

[84EdH]

Re: Knocking heard while docking

yes, the no-load muff trial could be bogus. I wonder if there is a better way to isolate the problem instead of just throwing parts at it?

 

[thumpar]

Re: Knocking heard while docking

You didn't have the drive up at the same time did you? Either way it does sound like U-joints.

 

[84EdH]

Re: Knocking heard while docking

no, the drive was down. i am going to pull the drive anyway, the season is over. so we'll see what I find.

thanks for the advice to all