Volvo SX-M drive ticking at the top HELP!

[Jeff R]

Hey Guys, I had my drives rebuilt over the winter by a local guy, i bought the boat at the end of last summer for a good deal, well it has twins and the one drive was off and on the drive shelf with no oil in it and in need of rebuilding, the guy that rebuilt it has replaced all the bearings and seals and the lower shims and the u joints, he has had it apart 5 times and it still makes a ticking sound at the top, you can even feel it if you put your hand on it, what is going on, all this money and no this, I di all the other mech work myself, bellows and such, I have even swaped the drives to make sure it was not anything in the inside, please help with some ideas

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[mikeneal]

Re: Volvo SX-M drive ticking at the top HELP!

I have a SX drive and it makes slight rattle at times when it idles due to backlash in the gear set. A slightly rough idle magnifies. Goes 100% away if you put it in gear and load the gear set. I am not sure a rattle you can feel is normal, sounds to me like the gear set might have too much backlash. Perhaps an expert will chime in.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo SX-M drive ticking at the top HELP!

I hope this "local guy" as you called him is an actual tech and has the proper tools for doing that kind of work. As mikeneal says, they can rattle a little in the upper. Usually you don't hear it in rebuilt drives and gas engines because the bearing preloads have all been set to specs and haven't worn in and loosened up. Especially on the double bearing box in the upper housing. They require a new crush sleeve between them and tightened down to 9-14 inch lbs of rolling torque. Did he check the gear backlash? Excessive lash will cause it to rattle more than normal.

 

[Jeff R]

Re: Volvo SX-M drive ticking at the top HELP!

Guys, thanks for all the input, I wish Iwould have found this place last year when i bought the boat, anyways I ended up taking the both drives to a marina about 200 miles from me in Clayton New York, ( French Creek Marina ) the owner's son helped design the SX drive and they are one of the biggest Volvo dealers in New York, I think I am in the right hands now, a little too late,

Thanks again for the help!

Jeff