Lower Unit Is Off, Now What?

[C17LoadSmasher]

Hello all, I isloated the noise to my outdrive, and I also decided while it was off to change out the impeller in the water pump and all that. Lots of saltwater buildup crap around the pump. Is it worth my time and money to take apart the lower unit and inspect anything, I did find some small flakes of metal on the magnet, I do not know if they are large enough to worry about. Will a mechanic take just the lower unit so they can open it up and inspect it for me? Or do they need the whole outdrive? (the drive is much easier to cart around than the whole boat! ) I am just wondering where I should go from here, in order to find this noise? (there better be something wrong what with all this trouble I am going through! <br /><br />A sidenote: When I spin the driveshaft (by hand) you can hear the gears spinning, and not too smoothly. This could be because their is no lube in it? It doesn't matter if it is in Fwd, Rev, or Neutral...should it make noise...<br /><br />Thanks in advance!<br /><br />--Chris

 

[Lark40]

Re: Lower Unit Is Off, Now What?

Please provide more info. People need to know the make, year, model, horsepower, etc., before they can attempt any advice.

 

[C17LoadSmasher]

Re: Lower Unit Is Off, Now What?

The model/year, etc: 2001 Mercruiser 3.0L w/ Alpha One Gen 2 stern drive. About 56 hours on it.

 

[flashback]

Re: Lower Unit Is Off, Now What?

sounds to me that the drive is pretty well trashed. the problem with these drives is that when one of the parts tears up and causes metal particals, they travel thru the entire drive unit and can damage many other parts. all i can say is tear it completly apart, check each part for damage, and replace accordingly......good luck.........

 

[C17LoadSmasher]

Re: Lower Unit Is Off, Now What?

There were not metal flakes to the extent that I think it would be trashed, just maybe two or three. They were about the sixe of a grain of sand, and resembled wood shavings from like a pencil sharpener. I would tear it down myself and look at it, but I do not have the special Mercruiser tools that are required to disassemble and then reassemble it. I am thinking that it would be more worth my while to just take in the lower unit and have them look at it. You think they would take just the lower unit? Or the would the whole outdrive be better?

 

[johnkc]

Re: Lower Unit Is Off, Now What?

did you reach into the bellows and check the gimbal bearing?it can be a source of noise and vibration if it is bad.it should be real smooth when turning it .also was the oil that you drained out metal flaked?{edit}went to your other post and re read it,was there any water in the drive shaft bellows when you removed the drive?if so it will need new u-joints and gimbal bearing and possibly yoke that enters drive. if the gimbal bearing and alignment are ok then i would take the drive to a shop and have it opened up for a look.

 

[C17LoadSmasher]

Re: Lower Unit Is Off, Now What?

There was a little bit of water in the bellows, only in one of the grooves. I attribute it to condensation perhaps? It's quite damp here in Charleston, SC. The u-joints and everything seem fine, a little bit of very light surface rust, but that's it. I didn't reach inside and spin the gimbal bearing...I will unwrap the back end of the boat and do that tomorrow.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Lower Unit Is Off, Now What?

Yep, I think you got to do like John says,+ take the Whole Outdrive with you..... Upper,+ lower share the same oil... even if the upper is all right, it should be cleaned,+ check out....<br /><br />Even a Dry case Should turn smoothly,+ freely.....<br />Grains of Sand are Really Big, in an outdrive.....