I just had the gimble and the bellows replaced on my 1994 Z 241. Cost was $800 cash. PArts are cheap..cost is in the labor.

Frist of all happy new year! Unfortunately the majority of the boat shops where i live have been closed for the holiday season so i havent been able to take her into get looked at until monday when they open up again, not really looking forward to it. Labor costs are rediculous! Taking the sterndrive off dosent look to be that big of a deal except for removing the hydrolic arms for the trim i dont know how those come off. other than that i think i could replace the gimble bearing and the u joints myself. I have been doing some thinking and a little research. The Gimble bearing dosent generally just go out, they are normally damaged due to a leaking bellow but if my bellow was leaking then there would be water in my bilge and my bilge is always bone dry, even if it was a small hole the boat sat on shasta lake for a week so there would have definatley been water. Since the noise only occurs when the wheel is cranked all the way right or left is it possible that the sterndrive is being allowed to rotate to far both left and right which is putting stress on the u joints? Because the noise isnt there when going straight or turning slightly.

Pulling the drive and changing out the gimbal bearing and the U-joints is not that difficult if you are the least bit mechanically inclined, however even a small mistake can be VERY costly to repair if it causes further damage elsewhere.

If you want to do the job yourself, I would invest in an engine / outdrive service manual for your year of boat, and follow it to the letter.

As far as water in your bellows is concerned, it is quite possible to have water in there and none in your bilge. There is a seal behind the gimbal bearing which stops water from gushing into the bilge in the event of a faulty U-joint bellows.

If you are a contributing member, we have all these in the manuals and supplements section.
I was told the real "danger" is the shift cable bellows. If it's been comprimised, you will take on water.

I was referring to a service manual. I don't beleive these are contained here in the Mariah website.;)

http://www.marineengine.com/manuals/...ercruiser.html

We have the genuine Mercruiser and Volvo service manuals on the site available to contributors, in the "Service Repair and Operating Manuals" section, not the aftermarket Seloc manuals.

Didn't realize those were there too... Thanks!:wink_thumbup: