Aluminum chips on and near tiller -- inside the trasom -- possible shaft grinding

[wellcraft-classic210]

I found some aluminum chips on the transom near and on top of the steering tiller of a 1995 alpha - one gen2. Almost looks like drill bit filings. Wondering if the drive shaft or coupler is rubbing on something & throwing them out. Some minor shaft noise with trim up.

Has anyone seen this before???

Its a new boat for me so it could just be something the previous owner had done & the chips became visible after some use. I am not usually that lucky.

 

[Bondo]

I found some aluminum chips on the transom near and on top of the steering tiller of a 1995 alpha - one gen2. Almost looks like drill bit filings. Wondering if the drive shaft or coupler is rubbing on something & throwing them out. Some minor shaft noise with trim up.

Has anyone seen this before???

Its a new boat for me so it could just be something the previous owner had done & the chips became visible after some use. I am not usually that lucky.

Ayuh,... Is there any play in the connection 'tween the tiller, 'n gimbel ring,..??

The drive shaft can't hit anything, 'n the coupler should be Greased,....

 

[alldodge]

I found some aluminum chips on the transom near and on top of the steering tiller of a 1995 alpha - one gen2. Almost looks like drill bit filings. Wondering if the drive shaft or coupler is rubbing on something & throwing them out. Some minor shaft noise with trim up.

Has anyone seen this before???

Its a new boat for me so it could just be something the previous owner had done & the chips became visible after some use. I am not usually that lucky.

Do you see it on top the steering link or just below it on the inside of the transom?

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...32.png&inbr=1017&bnbr=30&bdesc=Gimbal+Housing

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

Gents
Thanks for the replies & interest.

Added details

I found the chips on top of the tiller but also above it about 3-5 inches where the transom goes back under the integrated swim platform. Also it has been tracking poorly at low speed 5 MPH etc.
I did grease the coupler recently --

Update

I checked for steering play late last night & found a loose bolt ( as in I could spin the bolt head by hand ) on the gimbal ring - tiller shaft joint. This is ouside of the boat & does not explain the metal chips but could explain why it was tracking poorly at 5 MPH

After torqing those bolts it still has a little play-- which could be what Bondo had suggested -- the tiller arm shaft connection. I do see some access plugs as its a Gen 2. Hoping to check & tighten that up as well. ( This is a new one for me so any advice is appreciated )


-- Still not sure how metal chips got up on the transom. ( Maybe tiller chips are falling on the shaft & getting launched )

--I have found a surprising amount of loose things on this rig which is a new purchase. ( Including a hinge pin bolt on the starboard side )

-- Hoping to hold things together through the season and pull the drive in the fall to check over things -- But I may need to do it sooner for problem prevention & peace of mind.

 

[alldodge]

Gents
Thanks for the replies & interest.

Added details

I found the chips on top of the tiller but also above it about 3-5 inches where the transom goes back under the integrated swim platform. Also it has been tracking poorly at low speed 5 MPH etc.
I did grease the coupler recently --

Update

I checked for steering play late last night & found a loose bolt ( as in I could spin the bolt head by hand ) on the gimbal ring - tiller shaft joint. This is ouside of the boat & does not explain the metal chips but could explain why it was tracking poorly at 5 MPH

After torqing those bolts it still has a little play-- which could be what Bondo had suggested -- the tiller arm shaft connection. I do see some access plugs as its a Gen 2. Hoping to check & tighten that up as well. ( This is a new one for me so any advice is appreciated )


-- Still not sure how metal chips got up on the transom. ( Maybe tiller chips are falling on the shaft & getting launched )

--I have found a surprising amount of loose things on this rig which is a new purchase. ( Including a hinge pin bolt on the starboard side )

-- Hoping to hold things together through the season and pull the drive in the fall to check over things -- But I may need to do it sooner for problem prevention & peace of mind.

That's starting to look like someone did some drilling maybe.

As for the tracking, and single screw boat will always wonder left to right slightly at slow speeds. This is the effect of the keel of the boat not the steering. With play in the gimbal ring to pin will make it more pronounced

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

It has been a lot more pronounced than my last boat. // but its also 3 feet shorter. I will see how she does with everything tightened up.