replace or not to replace? (gimbal bearing / u-joints)

[HighLineCBR]

Im pretty sure i have a bead GImbal bearing and possibly u-joints.

I have a 1989 OMC Cobra. Outdrive rebuilt end of last season.

When idling in neutral, i feel vibrations, thumping and squeaking churning noises. The noises get louder when i turn the wheel to the right and left. At higher RPMs and faster speeds this all goes away and boat runs well.

From reading a few posts here i'm pretty sure its my gimbal bearing and/or u-joints that need to be replaced. I spoke with a friend thats a mechanic and he told me that there is no rush to get this replaced. He said that I can even wait until the end of this season to get this fixed.

Can I wait to get this fixed? Or should I start tomorrow? Either way I will be fixing this myself, but would prefer to wait until after the season then to do it now...

 

[Don S]

Re: replace or not to replace? (gimbal bearing / u-joints)

Can I wait to get this fixed? Or should I start tomorrow? Either way I will be fixing this myself, but would prefer to wait until after the season then to do it now...

Each time you run it, things get more expensive to fix. your choice.

 

[pinecreek]

Re: replace or not to replace? (gimbal bearing / u-joints)

It doesn't take but 10 minutes to pull that outdrive...a couple of hours and you will be much more releived out on the water...I would do it.

 

[HighLineCBR]

Re: replace or not to replace? (gimbal bearing / u-joints)

After i pull the drive, will i need any gasket kits to put it back on? Or just take off replace bearing and u-joints and put everything back together?

I guess what I'm asking for here is a list of parts I will need to get this done?

1) Gimbal bearing
2) U-joint kit

anything else?

 

[pinecreek]

Re: replace or not to replace? (gimbal bearing / u-joints)

You will need a outdrive seal kit. Use what you need too, sometimes there's a lot of different seals in the kit depending on how far you tear in. The farther you tear in the more gaskets you use. Then I believe 2 ujoint on that one ad then the single gimble bearing. When you have the outdrive off reach in there and grab hold of the bearing and pull back and forth if there is a lot of play in it then replace it. But if it feels tight and rolls around smoothly then you might only need to do the ujoints

 

[Don S]

Re: replace or not to replace? (gimbal bearing / u-joints)

You need to pull the drive and see what the problems are before you get carried away ordering parts. Do you know anything about gimbal bearings, ujoints, bellows, water in the bellows, water in the drive, gear lube changes, etc. etc.?

 

[ziggy]

Re: replace or not to replace? (gimbal bearing / u-joints)

You need to pull the drive and see what the problems are before you get carried away ordering parts.

to me, that's a good statement in general. can't say how many times i've pre ordered what i 'thought' i needed only to find out i needed more or less. i know it's a drag having to wait while parts are on order after ya found out what ya do need. but in the end. i've found at least ya get the right parts instead or too many, or to few, in which case you'll still be waiting on the order anyways..

 

[rustymich]

Re: replace or not to replace? (gimbal bearing / u-joints)

Would the gimbal make any noise turning left/right or would that be the u-joints just wondering....

 

[HighLineCBR]

Re: replace or not to replace? (gimbal bearing / u-joints)

You need to pull the drive and see what the problems are before you get carried away ordering parts. Do you know anything about gimbal bearings, ujoints, bellows, water in the bellows, water in the drive, gear lube changes, etc. etc.?

I think I'm somewhat "mechanical." Cant say i've worked on the drive before but I think i can take this on. Anything in particular I should watch for or know?