Slight vibration

[Lakerider]

First I have a Volvo sx cobra outdrive. When idle and the drive is lifted. I hear a clacking sound. When drive is lowered to normal run position sound is gone. When I lower drive to full down position to take off all is good. Once up on plane if I leave drive all the way down I feel I slight vibration maybe just my fear of something wrong. Now once up on plane I can move the drive up a bit and it becomes smooth as silk as if the everything is perfect. Now for instance I am pulling a skier and they fall so I make a hard turn to pick them up I hear a slight roar and kinda feel the roar. Soon as I return the steering back closer to straight all roar is gone. I have had this boat for over a year and it has done this from time I got it and I have check fluids in lower unit and filled grease thru the grease zerts. I have put probably 100 + hours on the boat. Am I just being psycho Does this drive usually make noises? My first sterndrive boat.
The boat is a 1997 Larson with a 4.3l

 

[saintlee]

Re: Slight vibration

check out this thread, it may help
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=503535

 

[Lakerider]

Re: Slight vibration

I have seen that thread. My boat isn't acting that bad. When lower unit is down and straight it makes no noise. Never roars when going straight.

 

[Lakerider]

Re: Slight vibration

So the drive should never make a sound no matter what position it is in?
I guess that is my question.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Slight vibration

Need to pull your drive and check your u-joints. Also see if you have any water in your bellows.

Have you ever changed the bellows?

When was the last time the drive was off?

 

[Lakerider]

Re: Slight vibration

I have never had the drive off. I just bought the boat last summer Will I have to drain the lower unit fluid or can I inspect the u- joints and not lose fluid. I am sure I am capable of doing whatever is needed to the drive myself Mechanical things aren't a problem. Just making sure where to look. I am getting absolutely no water inside the boat. The bilge is always bone dry. Unless I have had people swimming and climbing in boat wet. So it sounds like u- joints instead of gimble bearing. At low speeds turning left or right never makes a sound.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Slight vibration

You don't need to drain the lube to pull the drive but of course you should be changing that annually as well. You should also be checking your drive lube level everytime you take the boat out.

You will get some more vibration if you turn hard at high speeds. I definitely get that with mine and that is after I had changed u-joints. Thats just the nature of these. You may be ok but I would still be pulling the drive anyway..