rattle in outdrive

[angie1015]

im supposed to splash my boat tomorrow however i have it running on the hooked up to the garden hose and i hear a slight rattle in the drive. i just replaced the motor last weekend.. by the way its a 1982 larson omc stringer drive. drive was rebuilt in 2001. just bought the boat. when i rev up the engine in neutral the rattle gets faster. if i put the boat in gear the rattle goes away.. any ideas what this could be??? the boat has not been run in a few years if that has anything to do with it...also the drive is not completly down....

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: rattle in outdrive

The Stringer drive should only be run in the full down position. It may be the ball gears you are hearing. I wouldn't say they rattle though, I would say they would make a knocking noise.

 

[sarantis]

Re: rattle in outdrive

I m not expert but I had similar problems and i think that if you get in the water the rattle will be much louder when turning especially in hiigh speeds and when playing with the power trim.This could mean worn out yokes and crosses(I've heard that usually is worn out the short yoke and the crosses,i'm talking about mercruiser A1 sterndrive)and you have also to check the gimbal bearing whether it has side play or if it's got rust.

 

[ArnoldKraan]

Re: rattle in outdrive

I had about the same with mine bayliner 1950 with an 3.0 OMC cobra drive. It started too be a worn out gimball beering which after a while destroyed my horizontal and vertical spoke weels (I guess that I am not using the correct words but I am Dutch so I hope you understand)
My advise would be, Go back to the repair shop and let them have a look into it befor you destroy more.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: rattle in outdrive

Ditto what RP said, run it on the muffs with tilt full down and see if it goes away.

 

[tystick]

Re: rattle in outdrive

Ditto what RP said, run it on the muffs with tilt full down and see if it goes away.

are you getting any oil in bilge?
the rattle could also be a shot yoke seal- ask me how i know

 

[Lyndy]

Re: rattle in outdrive

If that Stringer is even partially up, the Ball Gears would be making some noise even in Neutral. Engaged it would even be louder. If there are other nosies coming from the outdrive, you wouldn't know it, so get that little guy locked in the down position and have another looksee.

 

[angie1015]

Re: rattle in outdrive

Thanks for all the great advice. Turns out the drive was not fully down. The noise went away as soon as I lowered the drive all the way. My next question is how do I tilt the drive up as I cruise for extra rpm?s. im assuming this is not possible with these older omc drives??

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: rattle in outdrive

Your assumption is correct, sort of. Trimming is mechanically adjustable via engine mount adjustment.

 

[angie1015]

Re: rattle in outdrive

now im confused... trimming is mechanically adjustable via engine mount adjustment?? what does that mean. i do have hydrolic engine mounts. i can really angle the engine up or down. i know i sound like a rookie but what is that used for? should it be all the way up? or all the way down or in the middle? when should i adjust it and why?

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: rattle in outdrive

i do have hydrolic engine mounts. i can really angle the engine up or down. should it be all the way up? or all the way down or in the middle? when should i adjust it and why?

Sorry, didn't realize you had the trim option. You should trim down for taking off. Then when the boat comes up on plane trim up, some or all the way, depends on how the boat may be loaded. Once up on plane you can play with the trim to get a feel of what is happening. You may notice as you trim up your tach reading may also increase. This is normal. Trimming up keeps the bow of the boat from plowing thru the water.

 

[angie1015]

Re: rattle in outdrive

sorry if this sounds like a stupid question. trimming up the drive would make the rattle in the drive right?? do you mean trim the motor up. i have had many boats before where you trim down to take off and trim up as you get going... i cant trim up cause the drive has to be all the way down with the boat running correct? so how does the hydrolic engine mounts come into play here

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: rattle in outdrive

Tilting the drive is what you don't want to do with the engine running. Tilting the drive is for trailering purposes only. You can also tilt the drive (with engine off) to physically (get out and pull) move the boat into or out of shallow water.Trimming the motor, which would be activating the hydraulic engine mount is waht you want while running the engine. When you trim the motor the complete assembly (engine and drive) moves as a unit, and it only moves a few inches, either up or down . When trimming the engine while underway the running attitude of the boat will change. When trimmed properly you wil achieve the best handling, fuel economy, and speed.