cgullette wrote:
I'm having severe vibration when I have the drive turned fully port and starboard. I talked to a mechanic and he suggested I check the power steering actuator for leaks. Sure enough it was leaking. So I replace it and still have the problem.
I'm guessing that the u-joints are bad at this point.
It's a 2006 5.7 GXi-G with the DP-SM outdrive. I'm not sure how many hours are on it at this point.
My main question is should I have the gimbal bearing replaced at the same time?
Thanks
In my experience, unless you ran for an extended time with water in your U joint bellows, your U joints should really be ok. But while the drive is off certainly replace the gimbal bearing as it's cheaper at this point. Many times it's dried out or lack of grease in the engine coupler that causes an excessive vibration during hard over turns, some slight vibration should be considered normal but I'm assuming that you are experiencing a vibration abnormal to what you are used to. The shaft from the outdrive has to move in and out slightly of the coupler as the unit is trimmed or turned and when the splines get dry it sticks causing vibration. Once the drive is off you'll be able to tell if the u joints are either very stiff from rust or have any rotational play in them. If this is the case then they really should be replaced as well.
Another item to check while the outdrive is off is the engine to transom alignment as that can also be a cause of vibration. On occasion I have seen the front engine mount nuts come loose and then vibrate down allowing the front of the motor to settle and then be out of alignment. Hope this helps
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