[ShabahZ280]

Symptom:
Heavy vibration when steering, more firm towards starboard side, gets progressively worse as the wheel turns further. When the drive is lined up center, no problems. Happens in forward & reverse. U-joints? Gimbal?

Any ideas?

[rjobe]

Chris,

Is it a heavy vibration or a heavy vibration noise, like thottle/steering cables banging against the hull when turning? I think I have the latter problem and not sure how to find and fix it. It's most noticeable at idle, is that when yours happens.

[ShabahZ280]

Yes Randy, it is much more noticeable at idle speed. Been doing some research online, appears to be a gimble bearing going bad. According to one page I read, "By the time you notice the vibration symptoms, it usually requires service as soon as possible to prevent further damage".

Looks like I'm officially done for the season

Oh well, at least I got to enjoy Lake Erie and Put-In-Bay this past weekend as my last trip!

[WetWilly]

Originally Posted by ShabahZ250

Yes Randy, it is much more noticeable at idle speed. Been doing some research online, appears to be a gimble bearing going bad. According to one page I read, "By the time you notice the vibration symptoms, it usually requires service as soon as possible to prevent further damage".

Looks like I'm officially done for the season

Oh well, at least I got to enjoy Lake Erie and Put-In-Bay this past weekend as my last trip!

Hi ShabahZ250,

It sounds like you hit the nail dead on with the gimbal bearing being the culprit!

Strendrive.com had this to say: http://www.sterndrives.com/why_does_drive_growl.html

Our Talari is in the shop right now being serviced and they found our bearing was almost completely frozen up, another run and it would probably have frozen completely. if that happened, possible scored drive shaft and worse, new gimbal if it spun and seized.

All because of a little crack in the bellow, water and time.

Good luck on yours,
WetWilly

[moondance100]

That sounds like a gimbal bearing to me Chris. That is usually precipitated by a leaky u joint bellows washing the lube from the bearing. Been taking on any water? They've got to take the bellows off and remove the u joints when replacing that bearing, so you can have it all inspected when you take it in.

[ShabahZ280]

Yep, that's exactly what's going on. I haven't noticed any water intrusion, and after this weekend in Lake Erie, there was no water in the bilge, and just a slight dribble in the transom drain when I pulled it. Strange. Oh well, I'll give the service dept a heads up and see if I can have them take a look at it.

I guess I've got all winter to work extra and pay down my credit card bill!