Top unit noisy after bearing change

Kwanza

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 6, 2026
Messages
36
Migrating this from a different thread for better visibility.
My Volvo Penta 3.0 GLP-D sterndrive (SX drive) cut off on water, restart was not possible, would not turn over.
Gearbox seizure, with a completely destroyed top bearing found once leg was pulled off.
Mechanic replaced two bearings here, he referred to these as front and rear bearings.
Engine and prop are now running, with mechanic noting that top unit/box is noisy. No further work was done on top unit, only the two bearings mentioned earlier.
A short 15 sec video and 50 sec audio illustrate this noise. During the audio, phone's microphone is moved around the top box at a close distance. I never really paid attention to gearbox sound during the 8 months ownership of this boat, I would only look and listen to the engine and water circulation while running and rinsing on land.
Haven't taken it to water yet, I am curious what people say regarding this noise.
Thank you.

 

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jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
14,617
Replacing those parts, isn't take the old one out/off, put the new one in. There are Shims in there to adjust the Gear Mesh, perhaps that wasn't checked
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
52,999
did the mechanic clean the oil strainer between the transmission and lower unit? did the mechanic pull the whole drive apart to clean out the debris?

Volvos have a great oiling system, but any damage to a bearing or gear gets pumped thru the whole thing. so any bearing failure requires the whole drive to be pulled apart.
 
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