drmiles

Hi,

I have a Volvo DP-SM outdrive. When driving straight she's very quiet. However when she's trimmed up/down or I turn left or right, there is a terrible vibration. It's not a grinding sound or knocking, but a vibration.

I was reading that it could be from several things.

1. Misalignment of the drive
2. U-joints
3. Gimbal bearing

Anyone out there experience a similar problem. Any Advice?

Thanks,
Miles :-)

blue thunder

Sounds like u-joints. The other two reason you give would cause a problem whenever the engine is running, not just trimming or turning.

BT

blown formula

I agree with blue thunder. Better get it fixed now!! If a u-joint lets go, it will destroy the transom assembly. You would no longer be able to put on a bellows as it breaks the rim it attaches too. Now say- "abandon ship" as it takes on water!!

formula31

yea, dont run it. Ive seen the results of a u-joint letting go, not pretty.

Reed Jensen

I agree... sounds like u-joints... and an urgent repair is needed!

drmiles

Thanks for the feedback.

I'm pretty sure I understand the process for changing the u-joints.

Any advice from those of you who have done it.

THanks,
Miles :-)

blue thunder

I did u-joints on an original vintage volvo duoprop last year. What year are you working on?

Dave

drmiles

Well, I pulled the drive off. It's a 2001 DP-SM. Turns out there was a small amount of water in the drive bellows. The gimble bearing came out stuck to the input shaft. I have a feeling the vibration is from the gimble bearing since it looks so bad and the inner and outer races can wigle.

Now, the u-jouints, although dirty are real tight. After cleaning them up, they don't appear to be worn.

Is there a way to determine if the u-joints are going bad? Loose, gigly, etc?

Thanks for the help.

Miles :-)

bryanspeedracer

Went through this on a Four Winns w/ Alpha drive. The gimble bearing went south. Had water in the bellows. Replaced it, too. If you are mechanically inclined at all, you can do the labor yourself. I replaced the u-joints, as I heard horror stories of them coming apart, parinoia took over...

Insurance like this is cheap

blown formula

Go to a drive shaft parts house.... Merc u-joints are just Dodge truck u-joints & cost only $7.00 each... might as well replace them as take a chance. It's worth $14.00 to not have to pull the drive off again.