I bought a 1999 20.5 foot Bayliner, 5.0 L 220 hp merc outdrive from a dealer. From day 1 it has had a rumble/vibration noise when turning tight with an intertuber (800-1,200 RPM / almost or just on a plane). It also has sort of a clicking/vibration noise when going slow around the dock when your turned all the way port or starboard. No problem going straight/moderate turns slow or fast. Dealer says he'd take care of anything mechanical when bought boat. I told him this sounded like U joints or gimble bearing. After I brought it back, he said he took lower unit off and looked at them and they looked fine, checked to make sure gimble bearing was in proper location & it was (if slips can cause U jt noise). He also said he made sure engine/transmission/lower unit were all aligned properly. He called factory and merc didn't have any other suggestions. I know this noise shouldn't be there though. Could he inspect jts/bearings and not be able to tell if they're jsut starting to go bad? I keep telling him I don't want the noise. Yesterday, he said he'd put new u jts in when he's not as busy to see if that takes care of it. Should I have him replace gimble bearing too? Could it be anything else? Maybe we should look at any other possible causes before replacing U jts? THANKS.
