280 stern leg spindle bearings need replacing

Seabound280

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Nov 28, 2017
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I have an aqad40b set up in my boat. Ive just put it back in the water after doing all the seals on the 280 leg. But there is a bad vibration when turning. Im pretty certain its the spindle bearings...ie. The bearings on the short driveshaft located in the bell housing. What I need to know is.... Can I replace the bearings, or at least replace the rear one just by accessing it from the rear of the boat by removing the upper unit of the sternleg? . I cant remove the engine until next year but would like to make it as good as I can to use this season and as the other end of the spindle is located in the flywheel I think replacing the rear bearing only will suffice. I am assuming the bearing is normally a slide fit on the shaft rather than a press or interference fit, as it has circlips holding it in place. I expect it to be difficult to remove but I do have the skills and resources. Has anyone done this? Thanks in advance for any assistance.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Jul 23, 2011
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welcome aboard.

that would be the PDS bearings. (Primary Drive Shaft). spindles are on the trailer and front of your truck.

there are two types of PDS housings, a single bearing style and a double bearing style. you can remove the single bearing style from the aft, however the double bearing style requires the drive off, motor out. since you reference rear bearing, I assume you have a two bearing PDS.

the bearings are a light press with circlips. it will require driving the shaft out forward, then driving the rear bearing out rearward.

here is a writeup replacing the PDS bearings on my 290 http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...s-engines-outdrives/10343318-pds-shaft-issues

if you continue to run it may be ok, it may tear itself apart. also you are inspecting your u-joints annually, correct? you could have bad u-joints.
 
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