79TA7.6
New Member
- Jun 27, 2020
- 9
- Boat Info
- 1995 220 Overnighter
- Engines
- 5.7
1995 220 Signature Series Overnighter, 5.7 Merc with Alpha outdrive. Not sure how to tell which gen.
I bought our boat about a month ago. Have only had it out three times, first two were day trips, the last was a 4 night camping trip. Super happy with the boat at this point. I have noticed that when I turn the steering wheel nearly locked in one direction or the other I can hear a grumbling in the rear. I do not hear it while not turned. I do not remember if the noise was there when not in gear. I am reading this could be either the gimbal bearing or the drive shafts/u-joints. I am also reading that water is what takes these out. When I pulled my boat out of the water after being in it for 5 straight days, there was no water when pulling the plug. I am not sure if when people say water takes these out that if there would be water in the boat or not.
The first time out I noticed that at low speeds the boat wanders back and forth when I hold the steering wheel straight. When reading up on this it sounds like it is normal for the alpha drive. What I am not sure about is the amount of play in the steering wheel. I am able to turn the wheel probably 45 degrees without the drive moving. Looking at the power steering shaft assembly, I can see this moving in and out. I am assuming this is what allows the fluid to shift to the correct port. I am also able to move the drive by hand without the steering wheel moving. I am just wondering if this is adding how much the boat wanders?
I bought our boat about a month ago. Have only had it out three times, first two were day trips, the last was a 4 night camping trip. Super happy with the boat at this point. I have noticed that when I turn the steering wheel nearly locked in one direction or the other I can hear a grumbling in the rear. I do not hear it while not turned. I do not remember if the noise was there when not in gear. I am reading this could be either the gimbal bearing or the drive shafts/u-joints. I am also reading that water is what takes these out. When I pulled my boat out of the water after being in it for 5 straight days, there was no water when pulling the plug. I am not sure if when people say water takes these out that if there would be water in the boat or not.
The first time out I noticed that at low speeds the boat wanders back and forth when I hold the steering wheel straight. When reading up on this it sounds like it is normal for the alpha drive. What I am not sure about is the amount of play in the steering wheel. I am able to turn the wheel probably 45 degrees without the drive moving. Looking at the power steering shaft assembly, I can see this moving in and out. I am assuming this is what allows the fluid to shift to the correct port. I am also able to move the drive by hand without the steering wheel moving. I am just wondering if this is adding how much the boat wanders?