Alpha one, noise from gimbal bearing area, new gimbal bearing, no water intrusion. Stumped!

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

Hello All,
I am a newb on this forum in need of some help. However, I have gleaned a lot of good advice reading through the threads. I purchased a 1986 Sea Ray 270 with twin 5.7 260s. I bought this boat to replace another Sea Ray that I lost in the 2020 wildfires. Enough of that, I posted a brief video of an intermittent clicking noise coming from the gimbal bearing area.
View attachment 20220904_105525 port drive noise.mp4
I removed the drive and replaced the bellows, water hose, gimbal bearing, etc. U Joints were already well greased and looked great. When I removed and inspected the gimbal bearing I could see some notches in the bow side of the gimbal bearing outer ring. Unfortunately I threw it away and do not have a photo. I thought that must be the problem and installed a new, non-grease, gimbal bearing using the proper tools. I did not replace the front (bow side) grease seal on the shaft as a buddy, experienced with boats, said don't mess with it if you don't have to. I did get my hand up there and did not detect any problems although I could have been more thorough. I installed everything, ran the engine and the clicking noise is still there.
My question is this, have you heard of a front grease seal rim causing this problem? The notches cut into bow side of gimbal bearing outer ring makes me suspect the front grease seal (or some metal debris from a blown up bearing?) might be the problem. Could a front grease seal that is out of alignment be the problem? Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[merc850]

How's the drive coupler are the splines dry or did you grease them?

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

I do not remember greasing the splines. I'm planning to pull the drive again this weekend to take another look. Have you heard that noise before? I was pretty diligent about greasing everything, however, I could have missed that.
The other thing I did not do (that I have since learned here) is to give the gimbal bearing installation tool a few knocks side to side with my hand after the bearing is in place. The drive shaft did slide right into place when I installed it so maybe that is a non-issue. Thank you for the comment!
I appreciate it. I'll report back.

 

[airshot]

After you pull the outdrive, stick your hand in there and rotate the gimbal bearing and make sure it is really smooth, no bumps or grinds. Unfortunately I have saw new...bearings that have issues..

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

After you pull the outdrive, stick your hand in there and rotate the gimbal bearing and make sure it is really smooth, no bumps or grinds. Unfortunately I have saw new...bearings that have issues..

Will do, thank you for the tip!

 

[dubs283]

Gimbal bearing alignment requires an alignment bar and a hammer, not the installation tool and smacking with your hand.

The clicking noise could be from the gimbal bearing. Other culprit could be worn exhaust flappers

 

[Rick Stephens]

inspected the gimbal bearing I could see some notches in the bow side of the gimbal bearing outer ring

Gimbal bearing carrier rings have notches cut into them that allow the bearing to be rotated and removed from the carrier. Is that by chance what you are referring to?

 

[tank1949]

Hello All,
I am a newb on this forum in need of some help. However, I have gleaned a lot of good advice reading through the threads. I purchased a 1986 Sea Ray 270 with twin 5.7 260s. I bought this boat to replace another Sea Ray that I lost in the 2020 wildfires. Enough of that, I posted a brief video of an intermittent clicking noise coming from the gimbal bearing area.
View attachment 369626
I removed the drive and replaced the bellows, water hose, gimbal bearing, etc. U Joints were already well greased and looked great. When I removed and inspected the gimbal bearing I could see some notches in the bow side of the gimbal bearing outer ring. Unfortunately I threw it away and do not have a photo. I thought that must be the problem and installed a new, non-grease, gimbal bearing using the proper tools. I did not replace the front (bow side) grease seal on the shaft as a buddy, experienced with boats, said don't mess with it if you don't have to. I did get my hand up there and did not detect any problems although I could have been more thorough. I installed everything, ran the engine and the clicking noise is still there.
My question is this, have you heard of a front grease seal rim causing this problem? The notches cut into bow side of gimbal bearing outer ring makes me suspect the front grease seal (or some metal debris from a blown up bearing?) might be the problem. Could a front grease seal that is out of alignment be the problem? Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated.

Very clean, but that's an old boat and may have transom rot that causes flexing and the noise. The seals are a pain to replace, but unless yours is warped, I don't suspect it is causing the noise. I am restoring an 86 SR Amberjack. I had to replace transom. What a job!!!!!! Are you sure it is not a lifter tapping??? How about a spark plug arcing???? Examining the drive shaft, does it wobble near the coupler? I suggest buying a cheap stethoscope and listing closely. I almost did an unnecessary head job on a Chevy V8 because a compression tester was giving me false readings. Schreader valve was loose. Good luck!

 

[Scott06]

I would pull the drive off reinspect that gimbal is fully seated and the gimbal housing is not worn such that gimbal bearing can move in housing.

Run the engine by stuffing a hose in water port on bellhousing see if noise is still present

If it’s not present you know it’s the drive would replace the unjoints and pop top cap on drive and see what it looks like in there

Moog 315g or equivalent u joint will work and are cheap

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

Gimbal bearing alignment requires an alignment bar and a hammer, not the installation tool and smacking with your hand.

The clicking noise could be from the gimbal bearing. Other culprit could be worn exhaust flappers

Gimbal bearing alignment requires an alignment bar and a hammer, not the installation tool and smacking with your hand.

The clicking noise could be from the gimbal bearing. Other culprit could be worn exhaust flappers

I may have misspoken, I have two tools, one is a extraction tool and the other is an alignment bar that I used to tap the bearing in with a hammer. I didn't knock it side to side just tapped it in. The drive shaft slid right in easily so alignment seems okay. The exhaust flapper is something that I did not consider. Thank you for the comments and advice! I appreciate it.

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

Gimbal bearing carrier rings have notches cut into them that allow the bearing to be rotated and removed from the carrier. Is that by chance what you are referring to?

Naw, there are cuts or irregular notches in the face. Thank you for the comment! Any advice or questions are appreciated!

 

[dubs283]

alignment bar that I used to tap the bearing in with a hammer. I didn't knock it side to side just tapped it in.

The alignment bar isn't used to install the gimbal bearing. There is a three piece tool for proper installation that requires a lot more than tapping. I use a 48 Oz hammer to install gimbal bearings then use the alignment bar to finish

It's possible you did not seat the bearing fully and although the alignment may be good without proper install the issue may be due to this

 

[havoc_squad]

I may have misspoken, I have two tools, one is a extraction tool and the other is an alignment bar that I used to tap the bearing in with a hammer. I didn't knock it side to side just tapped it in. The drive shaft slid right in easily so alignment seems okay. The exhaust flapper is something that I did not consider. Thank you for the comments and advice! I appreciate it.

You assumed it was okay instead of using the alignment tool per service manual instructions before installing drive.

Drive does not get installed until proper alignment is verified using an alignment bar made to the specifications for your drive system.

If you had major transom rot or issue with the bearing lining up, you would not be able to get the alignment correct and that would be apparent when checking alignment.

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

The alignment bar isn't used to install the gimbal bearing. There is a three piece tool for proper installation that requires a lot more than tapping. I use a 48 Oz hammer to install gimbal bearings then use the alignment bar to finish

It's possible you did not seat the bearing fully and although the alignment may be good without proper install the issue may be due to this

Thank you for the comments. We have the proper installation tool. We measured and drilled with a drill press for a custom fit it. It felt like it seated and should be good. However, I will indeed get my hand in there to feel it there is any gap in the front side. Great comment and something I did not check.

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

Very clean, but that's an old boat and may have transom rot that causes flexing and the noise. The seals are a pain to replace, but unless yours is warped, I don't suspect it is causing the noise. I am restoring an 86 SR Amberjack. I had to replace transom. What a job!!!!!! Are you sure it is not a lifter tapping??? How about a spark plug arcing???? Examining the drive shaft, does it wobble near the coupler? I suggest buying a cheap stethoscope and listing closely. I almost did an unnecessary head job on a Chevy V8 because a compression tester was giving me false readings. Schreader valve was loose. Good luck!

Good comments. Transom is in good shape. I'll take a close look at the drive shaft.

You assumed it was okay instead of using the alignment tool per service manual instructions before installing drive.

Drive does not get installed until proper alignment is verified using an alignment bar made to the specifications for your drive system.

If you had major transom rot or issue with the bearing lining up, you would not be able to get the alignment correct and that would be apparent when checking alignment.

Thanks for comment! The transom has been checked and is in good shape. I do own the service manuals for the engines and the outdrives. I will
give it a check when I pull the drive again. Thank you!

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

Very clean, but that's an old boat and may have transom rot that causes flexing and the noise. The seals are a pain to replace, but unless yours is warped, I don't suspect it is causing the noise. I am restoring an 86 SR Amberjack. I had to replace transom. What a job!!!!!! Are you sure it is not a lifter tapping??? How about a spark plug arcing???? Examining the drive shaft, does it wobble near the coupler? I suggest buying a cheap stethoscope and listing closely. I almost did an unnecessary head job on a Chevy V8 because a compression tester was giving me false readings. Schreader valve was loose. Good luck!

Good luck with your Amber Jack! Those are well made boats. I like the stethoscope idea. Spark plugs are good, no arching. Transom is in good shape too. I'll double check the drive shaft too. Good to cross the front seal off of my list. Thank you!

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

I would pull the drive off reinspect that gimbal is fully seated and the gimbal housing is not worn such that gimbal bearing can move in housing.

Run the engine by stuffing a hose in water port on bellhousing see if noise is still present

If it’s not present you know it’s the drive would replace the unjoints and pop top cap on drive and see what it looks like in there

Moog 315g or equivalent u joint will work and are cheap

Okay! Great steps to diagnose to help diagnose the culprit. I'll give 'er a go! Thank you!

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

Sorry for some slow responses here. We are slammed at work and we have been out deer hunting that last few weekends. I'll get the outdrive off, check it out and report back. Thank you to everyone!

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

MYSTERY IS SOLVED!! First, thank you all for the advice. I will give dubs283 the win. The exhaust flapper was making the noise. It just wasn't worn out. My son and I were replacing the upper and lower exhaust bellows on the engine since we planned to replace exhaust flappers. The flapper looked okay but I had a new one so it got changed. It wasn't until I removed the upper exhaust bellows that I found the problem. A mouse had crawled up one of the exhaust ports and built a nest inside the upper exhaust bellows. The exhaust was partially blocked which caused exhaust flapper to open and close depending upon how the nest moved in the pipe. I'm so glad it was a minor problem!! We will be on the water again soon. Thanks again to everyone!