So, I finally get to use my boat this past weekend, after having spent much time this Spring replacing the sea water pump and the gimbal bearing, etc.

We did a little wake boarding, to try the new wake board out. As I make the sharp turns to pick up the fallen boarder, the U-Joints start talking to me. (they said, "I'm not liking this")

So, it looks like I will be replacing the u-joints next spring. . . along with the alternator that has a mind of its own, which is another story. I was thinking to myself, 'the hits just keep on coming'.

Hopefully, things will remain operational for the Holiday weekend.

Contrary to what the service manual says, there is no need to pull the yoke (U-joint assembly) out of the driveshaft housing to change the U-joints. Unlike an Alpha, on a Bravo, there is plenty of room to get a U-joint press on the aft joint.

Thanks Dave for the insight.

A "U-Joint Press"? Sounds like more tools. Anyway, I'll read up on the manual and take your advice. I'm hoping the u-joints hang in there for the time being.

Tpenfield,

it looks like you do a lot of work yourself. I have a line on some Merc specialty tools. If there is anything in particular you are looking for let me know and I'll see if I can get a good deal on it.

Thanks SB. The manual shows the use of an "Automotive Universal Joint Press". I'm not sure if that is a Merc specific tool or not.

Anyway, The U-joints seem fine except on the sharpest turns. I am wondering if anything else (alignment, etc.) would give the same symptoms. I would hate to go to all the trouble and have it be something else.

You won't go through any extra trouble. Cause when you pull the drive off, the first thing you'll do is check the gimbal bearing. If it's bad, you'll replace it. If it's good, then you'll check the engine alignment, if it's off, you correct that. Then you'll physically examine the u-joints. See, no wasted work.

Mine growled last year, but I could not find a thing wrong with them. I swapped them anyway since they are really inexpensive and the work is simple. The auto parts store lent me the press for free. It no longer growls. Huh...

Thanks for the insight Dave.

I check the u-joints each year for any slop or a telltale clicking sound as I turn the yoke back and forth. I did not notice anything this year, so it must be a very minimal amount of wear that gets the grinding noise going.

Hopefully, they will hang in there for the balance of the season, and then I can replace u-joints, bellows, etc. over the winter.

I lived with the growling all last year and it was no big deal.

Some handy part numbers:

SPICER# 5-1306X
ROCKFORD# K1306
DETROIT# 7260
NEAPCO# 1-6300 / 1-6301
PRECISION (MOOG)# 315G
TRW (FEDERAL MOGUL)# 20030 / 20030P

Ask for any of these at any parts store. They all fit and are identical to the merc parts, for about 20% of the cost.

When pressing them in, if anything binds, STOP and back up. The ball joint press can easily break the yokes or coupler. The cups MUST go in straight and will not self-align if they start out cocked.

Bravo and Alpha use the same U-joints, in case anyone cares...