Light u-joint noise hard turn starboard

[workkyle]

I have a

2004 Chapparel 204 SSi 5.0 mercruiser. At slow speed I can hear the ujoints in out drive when hard starboard turn. I barely him that at 32mph. Port turns no noise. Can I grease them or do I have to change them to correct?Or drive it as is until worse?​

 

[nola mike]

Or drive it as is until worse?

I mean, that's always the wrong answer, right? I wouldn't trust greasing them to stop the knocking; damage has probably already happened to the joint.

 

[Scott06]

I have a

2004 Chapparel 204 SSi 5.0 mercruiser. At slow speed I can hear the ujoints in out drive when hard starboard turn. I barely him that at 32mph. Port turns no noise. Can I grease them or do I have to change them to correct?Or drive it as is until worse?​

My 2003 vintage drive had sealed aka non greaseable u joints

Could also be gimbal bearing as well which may be greaseable from outside of gimbal housing

If it’s not terrible use it through the season and change at winterization pull the drive inspect for water in bellows check alignment while in there

 

[Searay205]

Easy solution don't turn to starboard.

 

[nola mike]

If it’s not terrible use it through the season and change at winterization pull the drive inspect for water in bellows check alignment while in there

You can always roll the dice...a couple of seasons ago had some knocking, pulled the drive and had a slipped u joint clip, joint was banging on the drive shaft nut. Could have been bad news if I continued to drive it.

 

[Searay205]

You already wasted more time then it would have taken to pull the outdrive and replace the u-joint. On all my boats, friends boats over 30 years never had a bad u-joint, I suspect you found a symptom and the problem is a water leak contaminating you u-joint grease

 

[dubs283]

On all my boats, friends boats over 30 years never had a bad u-joint

This means statistically you will not find a bad u joint. Keep up with the annual inspection, service and repair

OP: remove boat from water. Pull the drive and inspect issue. U joints do fail from water intrusion and on their own