Ticking sound: gimbal bearing or exhaust flaps?

[jrmarsh]

1989 Mercruiser 4.3 Alpha-1 outdrive. Hearing a ticking sound at low rpm's, haven't noticed a growling or ticking sound when running in water at higher rpms or if I turn hard. One mechanic says it's the exhaust flaps, another says it's the gimbal bearing and the outdrive needs to be pulled, inspected and possibly rebuilt. Are there any other tell-tale signs that could help me discover what this is? I really don't want to pull the outdrive unless neccesary.

Also, what kind of price ranges are we talking to pull the drive and service it? (assuming nothing else is wrong)

 

[cr2k]

Re: Ticking sound: gimbal bearing or exhaust flaps?

I would not use the mechanic who said the outdrive may need to be rebuilt if the gimbal is bad. Most likely flappers. They do this. Shoot some grease in the gimbal just to be sure, about 8 pumps.

"... it's the gimbal bearing and the outdrive needs to be pulled, inspected and possibly rebuilt." The outdrive and the gimbal bearing are two different things. You wouldn't rebuild the front end of your car if you had a flat tire.

 

[jrmarsh]

Re: Ticking sound: gimbal bearing or exhaust flaps?

Thanks guys for the info. I think what the one mechanic was saying is he has to pull the outdrive to get to the gimbal bearing and while in there may as well inspect the other components and make repairs according to their condition. Worst-case scenario, the outdrive needs to be rebuilt.

But, it seems to operate just fine aside from the occasional ticking noise.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Ticking sound: gimbal bearing or exhaust flaps?

Mechanics like to go to the 'worst case', so be careful. Your wallet would rather a more precise approach where the thing that's broke gets fixed.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Ticking sound: gimbal bearing or exhaust flaps?

I really don't want to pull the outdrive unless neccesary.

imho, this is necessary. ya pull the drive yearly to inspect for water intrusion into the bellows and then lub and inspect the u joints, lub and inspect the coupler, check the alignment. and...

Are there any other tell-tale signs that could help me discover what this is?

check the gimble brg. ya do that by rotating it with your fingers. it will have no feel, no sound, no anything if it's ok. + ya can grease it too while your there spinning it by hand and introducing gimble brg. grease from the outside. spinning it by hand just ensures that the new lub replaces the old. you'll see the grease coming out of the brg. as you lub it. spin it a little and do lub it some more.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Ticking sound: gimbal bearing or exhaust flaps?

Agree need to pull drive annually to inspect and align.

 

[90stingray]

Re: Ticking sound: gimbal bearing or exhaust flaps?

Get a screwdriver and use as a stethescope to isolate the noise. Could be as simple as rocker arms... Would hate to see you get taken for a ride at your expense. I would say the gimbal would be more of a growling noise resonating thru the transom at idle. Pull the exhaust couplers after the manifolds (band clamped on) and have a look at the flappers yourself! I would say owning a 89 vintage boat, you need to get a little more hands on with her. The drive r&r can be done by YOU. It's gravy baby! Watch some youtube videos to build some confidence. It looks scarier than it is. Once you do it, you will wonder why you ever paid someone to work on your boat. Goodluck!