How to diagnose if Primary Drive Shaft bearings need to be replaced

[86bay2555]

My mechanic has advised me to change the PDS Primary Drive Shaft bearings.
They are saying it will require an engine pull and cost me 1200 parts and labor. Also he is saying i have to have seals in the outdrive that need to be replaced. Which my cost me 2500 - 3500 for all the work. The bellows was swollen very badly and had water and gray looking oil in it. The bearings sounds and looks fine. Should i change the PDS Primary Drive Shaft bearings and are these normal prices? When i changed outdrive oil it looked like watery milk. Gray milky oil was coming from behind the PDS bearing, when we had the outdrive off, he started her up to listen for grinding. It was spinning fine and had no noise. The mechanic said it will dry up and fail once the new bellows is on. I really don't want to change it this year! Will it last or should i change the bearings. Also is this a normal cost.

 

[Don S]

Re: How to diagnose if Primary Drive Shaft bearings need to be replaced

I really don't want to change it this year! Will it last or should i change the bearings.

No one here has a crytal ball and tell you if it will last. How much it costs depends a lot on accessability, and again we can't see what you want estimated. Don't know what engine, what boat, nothing.

I will say, if you boat in salt water, things get a lot worse, very fast.

 

[86bay2555]

Re: How to diagnose if Primary Drive Shaft bearings need to be replaced

I have a 89 bayliner 25' with volvo 290 outdrive replaced 305 with 454 engine. The last owner kept it in the water for 2 years. I never heard of a bearing drying up, I would think he could grease it up and replace the bellows. Then from there would i be able to listen for some sort of grinding or a symptom that would alert me it is going up. I dont want to cause more damage by not replacing it special if it will fail and give not warning sign.
Thanks for the response Don S

 

[Don S]

Re: How to diagnose if Primary Drive Shaft bearings need to be replaced

As I recall, a 454 in those boats is real tight down in that hole under the deck. The growling will start in the flywheel cover where the besring are. The water in the grease causes rust on the bearings. As they get rusty, and pitted, they get noisy until the lock up.
You need the proper repairs, it's up to you if you want to push your luck and try to run it.

One note, this is a forum for people that want to do the jobs themselves and NOT use a dealer. We do not give estimates. anyone that would give an estimate without seeing something first is just throwing out numbers. We can really help you should you decide to do the job yourself.

 

[86bay2555]

Re: How to diagnose if Primary Drive Shaft bearings need to be replaced

I have been watching my mechanic and am going to start doing all the work on my boat myself.
Thanks I am sure you here from me again