Need Outdrive Help/Adive

[stu929]

I feel terrible for my father in law, he bought a boat from someone and it has been nothing but problems since we bought it. Last year he had to have the motor rebuilt and a number of other replairs and this year it seemed to be behaving. After a couple days of skiing, the outdrive has begun to make a lot fo noise. If engaged and staying perfectly straight the noise is minimal once turning to either side there is a loud groaning noise that can be felt on the floor of the boat it is so pronounced. This of course is troubling to me as I he have already invest a lot in just getting the boat running as is and now I fear he may need a new outdrive soon and Im not sure he has enough money to replace that right now. Someone mentioned possibly a gimble ring? I honestly do not know Im very new to boating and would like to help him out as much as possible.

Any info or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

96 wellcraft 3.0 merc, I believe the outdrive is alpha one

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Need Outdrive Help/Adive

Howdy,

Someone mentioned possibly a gimble ring?

They were probably referring to the gimbal bearing. When they get "bad" they start making noise.

The drive needs to be removed to inspect. They frequently fail from lack of maintenance. When the drive is removed, it'll be obvious what is wrong and what else needs to be fixed....

None of what I'm referring to will be cheap though..... probably around $800-1000.


Sorry about that,


Rick

 

[liquidlew]

Re: Need Outdrive Help/Adive

Might not be that bad ($800-1000) if it is just the gimbal bearing. The cost of the bearing is under $100, and you just need the right puller to get it out, I just did mine and saved a bunch of $! You could also have bad u-joints, you won't know till you pull the drive and inspect everything. Even if it is just a bad bearing, I don't think that repair at a shop would be more that $300-400. Marine mechanics get around $100 hr. for labor out here in So. Cal! Just a bearing r&r shouldn't take more than 3-4 hours? Of course, if routine maintenace hasn't been done regularly, you will probably get that dreaded call from the shop asking you if you are sitting down...

 

[CV16]

Re: Need Outdrive Help/Adive

I would also bet on it being the gimbal bearing, but I'll add to make sure and check the motor coupler. I took my old boat down to where the bearing was ready to come out, then took it to a shop to have it removed and install the new one. The guy only charged me $50 and he had all the right tools to install it properly.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Need Outdrive Help/Adive

My $800-1000 guestimate included replacing everything one might do during a transom service.....


Gimbal bearing, bellows, U-joints and maybe a raw water pump, oil change etc......


It sounds like this drive has seen little or NO maintenance!

 

[liquidlew]

Re: Need Outdrive Help/Adive

Yeah, then I'm with HT32BSX115 on just getting all that done, since you don't know what or when the PO did any of those things. Best to cough up the $ and start with a clean plate, full outdrive/transom service, then you'll know where you're at and start a regular maintenance schedule! Everything needs to be lubed/inspected yearly, and some items need replacing at different intervals, before they go bad and cause more damage.

 

[stu929]

Re: Need Outdrive Help/Adive

I'll apologise again for being new especially to outdrives but would the 1000 number almost constitute a new outdrive? Basically given the repairs you mentioned would the outdrive essentially be rebuilt at that point as
I have seen new out-drives with a warranty for 1500-1700 range and while I know that is a higher number if there's still a number of other things that could go with this outdrive would it make more since to get something new with a warranty?

Thanks for all the info really appreciate it just feel bad about all the problems that have been encountered and just want the boat to run well and be reliable for him.

 

[fyrfightr]

Re: Need Outdrive Help/Adive

No, that cost will do nothing to the "guts" of the outdrive. I did this repair this spring on my pontoon. Total cost was under 300.00. Got the transom kit from SEI(manufacturer of the aftermarket drives). Already had the alignment bar/ bearing driver(about 60.00 on e-bay). Bought the u-joints from local auto parts store(found cross reference #s on this forum.

 

[stu929]

Re: Need Outdrive Help/Adive

For anyone that has done this how long did it take and how many of the special tools did you actually have to buy?

Thanks