Port shaft strut feedback

[jaahmez@hotmail.com]

Could i get some feedback on this please?

The port shaft engaged at idle gives a sound of what seems to me sounds like a bad bearing right where the strut is. Kind of like the sound of a well oiled drill bit going into steel, not super squeaky, but very similar to me. Gone after idle, no visible vibration in the shaft, slight in the motor between 2300 and 3000, gone after that all the way to full song.

I just launched last week and checked everything prior to. Any thoughts on what could I have missed? 1984 11M Express, twin 350 Crusaders

Thanks as always

James

[Lawman]

James, if it's right at the strut it could be a Culass Bearing starting to go??

[jaahmez@hotmail.com]

Lawman,

It is, I can stand right over the strut on the deck and it's most pronounced there, same if I lean over the freeboard portside at the same location. Are they a PIA to swap out, have you or anyone ever done one?

Thanks for responding

James

[Lawman]

Have'nt done mine yet (but it's due), There is a special tool that allows you to remove the bearing while the shaft is still in but you'll have to pull the boat out in order to do it.

[Jerry]

I had to replace one once that would ''sing'' pretty good and was driving the owner nuts.
There was not any appreciable play in the shaft either.
Once the bearing was out the only thing that I did notice is that the rubber seemed hard as a rock.

[davidsmith]

Had a buddys Silverton do the exact same thing. we replaced the bearing and the noise is gone. His was hard also and no play.

[jaahmez@hotmail.com]

Hey and thanks for the feedback.
Could be time to track down some dive gear and a StrutPro.

James

[prowlersfish]

I would not even think about doing it in the water .

Did you by chance use prop speed ?

[Big D]

I wouldn't do it in the water either, been there done that, never again! Before hauling out, check engine/shaft alignment between tranny flange and shaft coupler. Get it right at that location first then sea trial. If it still happens, then go through the expense of a haul out. Personally I don't screw around anymore with pulling the bearing with the shaft in place. Given that bearings are typically in place for years before replacing, this is the perfect time to remove the shaft, send it in to be dialed, and prop to be tuned unless you know they have been done recently. That way, you eliminate all sources of vibration at once so you don't have to wonder why you're still getting a vibration after a new bearing install only to find out the prop or shaft were slightly off, and having to go through it all over again.

[aaronbocknek]

I wouldn't do it in the water either, been there done that, never again! Before hauling out, check engine/shaft alignment between tranny flange and shaft coupler. Get it right at that location first then sea trial. If it still happens, then go through the expense of a haul out. Personally I don't screw around anymore with pulling the bearing with the shaft in place. Given that bearings are typically in place for years before replacing, this is the perfect time to remove the shaft, send it in to be dialed, and prop to be tuned unless you know they have been done recently. That way, you eliminate all sources of vibration at once so you don't have to wonder why you're still getting a vibration after a new bearing install only to find out the prop or shaft were slightly off, and having to go through it all over again.

i second the motion. short haul, swap out bearing after checking alignment and you're good to go. but, remember, the alignment MUST be done in the water as the boat 'sits' different in than out.

[jaahmez@hotmail.com]

Thanks all for the excellent feedback.
As it's listed for sale (here too), I'll cross the bridge of replacement/alignment when it goes to survey.