bearing noise?
 

I have a 97 jubilee with a 5.7L 350 Mercruiser with a Bravo Three out drive. I took it out this weekend and theres a grinding noise with vibration coming from the rear of the motor or the upper out drive. I found some grease points where the out drive enters the motor. Added grease and the noise is still there. Im thinking its a bearing but not sure if its in the motor or the out drive. We got the boat at the end of last summer and this is only the 4th time out and new to boating so any help would be helpful :) thanks!

I forgot to mention the noise is there in both the throttle only positions and with the drive engaged and gets faster and loader with an increase in RPMs. Thats why Im thinking its a bearing.

I like to think I'm some what mechanically inclined and thinking of tackling the problem myself but i dont want to miss out on some lake time if its a big time project or make things worse. So shop or do it yourself?? thats the real question.

Re: bearing noise?
 

Safe bet would be the gimbal bearing. Hop on YouTube and have a gander. Its an afternoon project with the right tools and a first go around. The Bravo is really nice to work with in my opinion.
To answer your question... DIY if you are mechanically inclined.

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Re: bearing noise?
 

Is have to agree with motoxxx on that, too. Did you notice if the noise/vibration got worse when you were making turns? If so, it's a sure bet that its the gimbal bearing. I replaced mine in my bravo three last month. It takes some special tools to remove and install a new one. I found mine on eBay. The tool set I got included a grease seal installer, gimbal ring pin removal adapter, bearing installer and a bellows ring driver. The bellows is something to consider replacing too, since you've already got it torn apart. It was an afternoon job and was pretty easy once I got the old bearing pulled out


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Re: bearing noise?
 

Yep, and since you have the outdrive removed, its a good time to replace your outdrive trim/tilt sensors if they or the gauge aren't working properly.

Re: bearing noise?
 

Cool. Thanks for the info. I'm gonna order the bearing and sensors (my gauge doesn't work properly).
I didn't notice any real difference when turning but I didn't stay out long with hearing that bearing. And the videos were helpful too cause I didn't realize the gimble was up in the motor and that's exactly where the notice is coming from. Thanks.

Re: bearing noise?
 

I'm with Mikey on the bellows too... the hardest one is the shift cable BUT you do them all now an you'll have that much less to worry about.
Checking the coupler alignment is another easy and smart thing to do while the outdrive is off.

FYI I used the "Sierra" brand trim sensors on my Bravo and after last season (maybe July-now) they are faded and old looking.... I should have used the Mercruiser/ Quicksilver but for some reason I used the Sierra. Works and fits the same, just looks old after not even one whole year and it is covered when not in use.

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Re: bearing noise?
 

O k. I got the bearing, bellows, trim and tilt switches and an o ring set. Ordered a puller kit and alignment tool so I'm just waiting for that to delivered. I did go ahead and pull the drive. I reached in turned the bearing with my hand and yup that's the problem. Makes a grinding noise when I spin it around and feels pretty rough. Since I already pulled the drive early do y'all think I need to drain the drive oil and refill it so that there's no air pockets? I did clamp the hose off inside the motor compartment and a little oil is barely leaking, just what is left in the hose I'm sure but will that creat an air pocket which I've been told is not good.

Re: bearing noise?
 

Yes, drain the drive oil but wait to fill it back up after you install the drive back on the boat. Remove the vent screw on the upper end of the drive and pump the new oil in from the bottom until oil starts to run out the vent (leave the lube hose to the reservoir clamped off). Then, put the vent screw back in, undo the clamp, and pump oil in until you see the level in the reservoir increase. Don't fill it all the way to the full line, though. The oil will expand when it gets warm from running and will run out the top and make a nice smelly mess.


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Re: bearing noise?
 

Done!! Got all the parts and tools in yesterday and got them all installed yesterday evening. Took the boat out today and everything worked great. But after about 45 minutes of sitting and relaxing the bilge pump came on. I checked the engine compartment and had a leak right where the shift cable runs through the hull. When I got back to the house and looked around I found a cut in the shift cable bellows. :(. Guess I did that when I got a little impatient and forced the drive bellows off. So it's back to the parts store and off with the drive again!! Bummer.

Re: bearing noise?
 

That really stinks! Had to replace my shift cable bellows since mine was torn. It's doable, but a pita since the entire cable has to come out to slip the new boot on. I feel your pain!


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