Symptom: when the drive is tucked all the way in (down), there's an odd noise, almost a grinding noise. The noise lets up once the drive is trimmed out some. Would this be the gimbal bearing going/gone bad? And if it needs to be replaced, go ahead and do the bellows while in there? What should this cost, approximately? Thanks for any advice!
Tony
Edit: this is a Mercruiser 4.3 carb, A1G2
I would remove the drive and inspect the gimbal on u joints. Usually the gimbal growls less when worn if drive shaft is straighter vs up? I wonder if something is rubbing or u joints have a bad spot.
when u say cost to replace do u mean parts or taking it and having the repair done.
replacing bellows depends on what u find and age of the bellows. I just did my bellows last spring on my 04 boat, they were original but still in decent shape not leaking just had some chaffing on outside that was going to eventually leak.
so if they look ok and aren’t leaking why change them. If you just need a gimbal bearing or u joints just do that, but if you find water in the bellows or cracks replace them
OEM bellows kit for parts is just under $300 includes all bellows and gimbal, if u need ujoints add another $100-200 depending on which joints u buy. If you are doing bellows check your shift cable($150). Labor to do all that depending on where u are and if it is a big dealer vs independent mechanic, for all three probably $900-1500. I do all my own work so may not be best judge of labor costs…the bellows took me two weekends … mostly screwing around getting shift cable routed… but hey first set made it 18 years so should be my kids problem when it needs it again
. . . maybe a bit longer
