1998 bravo III upper case noise

[jsea558]

Hi everyone, happy spring! I just installed my bravo III drive, and when i started the engine, i started to hear a "clunk" in the upper gearcase or bell housing, not sure which it is. Its intermittent, not a constant clunk. It happens in or out of gear forward or reverse. Trimmed or not, and idle or higher speed. Gear lube is full, u-joints were greased prior to install, and were very flexible. A new gimball bearing was installed last week. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks jsea.

 

[Dave S]

What about the coupler..........was it new?

 

[jsea558]

Hi Dave, no i didn't install a new coupler, but i did get down into the engine compartment while it was running to listen at the back of the engine, and didn't hear anything unusual. Its really loud outside next to the drive , it almost sounds as if the cone clutch isn't fully engaging, yet it is in gear, or seems to be, and shifts in and out ok. The boat is on land and being run on the hose. I know sometimes if you run it on land and in gear there isn't enough load on the props and you can get a clunk like that, but it does it in neutral also. Is it possible my shift cable is stretched? Thanks jsea