Outdrive vibration at full turn

[livethedream]

Hi folks, just trying to figure out what parts I need to replace to get rid of the vibration at full turn. I'm assuming this is the u joints wearing out on the driveshaft (alpha gen II). I see you can get a complete shaft and joints from sierra for $420 but if I can get away with a $100 kit... score.

parts diagram: http://www.iboats.com/Mercruiser_St...****.118490913--view_id.272968--viewcart.long

that diagram and list also confuses me. some numbers aren't available, some are NSS (not sold seperately i'm guessing?)

your guidance is appreciated!

 

[o/b tech]

Re: Outdrive vibration at full turn

Might also be a bad gimbal bearing. Pull the outdrive first and inspect u-joints and the large gimbal that the input shaft goes into, part of the u-joint assembly. They may feel rough when turned by hand. Also a good time to check for water getting into the u-joint bellows. When was the last time the gimbal was greased.

 

[willieboy]

Re: Outdrive vibration at full turn

Same symptoms, different outdrive... Bad bellow seal, allowing water in to the bellow and destroying the gimball bearing. The bellow itself checked out ok, it was just not sealed well at the transom plate.

 

[livethedream]

Re: Outdrive vibration at full turn

sorry i should have elaborated. the bellows were taking on water last summer so it got a new gimbal and bellows (both were pooched) but still vibrates.

 

[hoot]

Re: Outdrive vibration at full turn

a few years ago, i had the same thing happen. replaced the bearing and all bellows, following year, replaced the u-joints. if water gets in the bellows, might as well bite the bullet and replace the u-joints at the same time. u-joints will move smoothly in your hand, but inside the caps, the surfaces are getting rougher and rougher. 'you will pay me now, or pay me later'

 

[livethedream]

Re: Outdrive vibration at full turn

thats what i figured. they felt fine in my hand when i had it apart.

so back to my original question, what parts on that shaft do i replace to fix it?

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Outdrive vibration at full turn

How bad of a vibration are we talking about here? You will always get more vibration when turned fully to the lock because the u-joints are at an extreme angle, but it's not normally much more than audible. If you actually have a heavy vibration which is shaking the boat, then I'd look at u-joints, although replacing them is cheap and easy.

 

[livethedream]

Re: Outdrive vibration at full turn

u can feel it shaking in the steering wheel. i'd call it excessive.

I like the sound of cheap and easy.... can you elaborate? Parts I need, special tools, I'll hunt around for instructions that may have been posted here...

 

[livethedream]

Re: Outdrive vibration at full turn

the manual makes this look pretty complicated. removing the drive shaft from the outdrive, u joint retainer tool, shim stack, bearing cup, u joint press... oiy.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Outdrive vibration at full turn

I am doing the same on a 92 Alpha One Gen II right now. There is a guy on eBay that may be able to help you out. He is a great guy, sells good products at a very cheap price, and very friendly. His username on eBay is jhall019 and he has a store on there. I bought a kit from him with both u-joints, gimbal bearing, outdrive gasket, all o-rings as well as the drive-shaft bellows for under $100.
It is not hard, but you should also ask him for the hinge pin tool, which he sells for under $20. Other than that, and an alignment tool (which I got for $50 w/ shipping off eBay), all the normal household tools will do the job.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Outdrive vibration at full turn

I forgot to mention, if you look at my user name and check my previous threads (as I don't know how to post my own threads in another thread) you will find lots of useful information.

 

[livethedream]

Re: Outdrive vibration at full turn

haha... i 'just' bought the u joint crosses and trim sender switches from him.

already have a new gimbal, bellows and steering pin in there tho.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Outdrive vibration at full turn

To take the bell housing off though, you will need that hinge pin tool, or a 1/2" allen wrench. Well, you have nothing to worry about, he ships very quickly, actually shipped mine about two hours before I made my payment.