mercruiser 3.0 with alpha one gen one drive. 1990 maxim 17ft.
So i've been reading along the forum (first time boat buyer by the way, got it running last year via this website. You guys have been beyond remarkable) and I really cant find an answer to my power trim and gimbal issue. Anyone got an idea?
1) Power trim: The trim has no problem going (via the switch on the throttle). Sounds like the pump motor is running fine, plenty of fluid as well. But on the way up, dead. She wont go up, until i fire up the engine. Once the engine is on, it will "whine" and slowly go up, until it reaches about 30 degrees. Then it continues up at full speed. It seems like it's getting resistance. If i hit the switch and listen, I can hear a "click" at the tilt motor, but no movement or sound afterward. Idk if its my battery, solenoid, soul, bad karma, or what...
2) Worse issue: While riding down the river, especially at speeds 10mph and up, i get a nasty "grind" noise when I turn. The Ujoints are well greased and seem to move quite freely. I assume its the gimbal bearing. It has a little bit of a rough spin when I try by hand, but i didnt think enough to warrant replacement. Here's the question: Anyone know a way to remove the gimbal from an alpha one gen 1, without taking off the bell housing and replacing all the bellows? Im on a bit of a budget and need to save where i can. Also does it sound like a gimbal issue? Should I try just greasing the hell out of it first? (Sad to admit this, but I've had the boat for a year and never knew about the nipple on the bell housing for gimbal grease...i just did it by hand...ineffective i fear :| )
So i've been reading along the forum (first time boat buyer by the way, got it running last year via this website. You guys have been beyond remarkable) and I really cant find an answer to my power trim and gimbal issue. Anyone got an idea?
1) Power trim: The trim has no problem going (via the switch on the throttle). Sounds like the pump motor is running fine, plenty of fluid as well. But on the way up, dead. She wont go up, until i fire up the engine. Once the engine is on, it will "whine" and slowly go up, until it reaches about 30 degrees. Then it continues up at full speed. It seems like it's getting resistance. If i hit the switch and listen, I can hear a "click" at the tilt motor, but no movement or sound afterward. Idk if its my battery, solenoid, soul, bad karma, or what...
2) Worse issue: While riding down the river, especially at speeds 10mph and up, i get a nasty "grind" noise when I turn. The Ujoints are well greased and seem to move quite freely. I assume its the gimbal bearing. It has a little bit of a rough spin when I try by hand, but i didnt think enough to warrant replacement. Here's the question: Anyone know a way to remove the gimbal from an alpha one gen 1, without taking off the bell housing and replacing all the bellows? Im on a bit of a budget and need to save where i can. Also does it sound like a gimbal issue? Should I try just greasing the hell out of it first? (Sad to admit this, but I've had the boat for a year and never knew about the nipple on the bell housing for gimbal grease...i just did it by hand...ineffective i fear :| )
