Bravo 3 UJ's - Play

alt

alt

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Trying to help a friend out.

I have a very vague description of an error "making a dodgy sound when on full lock either side" - He didn't give me a chance to have a listen and now the out-drive is off.

To me, it sounded like the Gimbal (from his description), but it is smooth and when I turn it by hand it's smooth (but would you know by turning it by hand?) - Also appears (to the naked eye) ok aligned but I appreciate this is not scientific.

However, one thing I noticed is that there is some play in the UJ's. On one of the cross-bars (is that correct?) there's about 1mm, on the other much more, possibly up to 2mm.

I'm taking that this is not normal? Should there be *any* play?

Many thanks for any info you guru's can provide!
 
Many thanks, confirming my suspicion.

I have also just spotted a little oil in the bellows, and confirmed I can see a wet patch in behind the bottom of the UJ going into the out-drive - so that seal will need a change too.

What I also find suspicious is that when I turn the UJ, there appears to be also play on the pinions on top of the out-drive. We haven't lifted the top cover of the out-drive, but this is what it feels like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjFXW3fIODA
 
Yep, When my last mercruiser powered boat (not Bravo 3 though) went knocking I replaced the UJ and also had that issue. But that is where my knowledge ends because armed with the repair manual and in trying to repair / inspect it the result was I didn't put the correct spacing back in (all original spacers) but the act of taking them apart seemed to alter backlash etc as well the resistance with the top cover bearings etc and as a result the top gearbox shed a tooth within 20 hours use. The tolerance for error was obviously narrow. Better leave that to someone qualified to do the job. It's much cheaper.
 
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