Cobra outdrive

[Buckslide]

1997 four winns volvo penta with sx cobra outdrive.
Headed out tubing on the lake, after a half hour slowed down in a 10km zone and heard a ticking from the back. Motor checks out fine so headed back to shore. Increase throttle and the ticking increased with it, so stopped again. At this point the outdrive would not go into forward or reverse so got towed to the dock. At the dock pulled the trim up and it went in forward and reverse. It ticks all the time, but not loud.
Outdrive oil looks good and did a quick check of the shift position and it was only off a couple of cm. Before I pull the outdrive off any ideas?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Pull the drive. That should be done annually

 

[Buckslide]

Pulled it apart and nothing jumping out at me. The bearing is slightly loose, as in not that new stiffness but no play. Can't figure out what was ticking.

 

[Buckslide]

Hate when PPl never finish a thread so, replaced the bearing, gear oil and greased u joints. Tested it on land and ticking was gone. Can't figure the bearing was making that noise. I'll post if I hear the noise again after a gd run.