transmission, rattling ,whistle

(hypo303) · (hypo303) **Join Date: Jun 2004** 05-22-2005, 12:55 PM

i got a 90 malibu skier
with a borg warner velvet drive 1.1 tranny
I changed the oil last fall with the 10wt hydro oil as the manual calls for.Took it out 3 times this year and now my tranny is rattling and whistling...does anyone know if i need a tranny rebuild....has anyone ever had this problem?
This really sucks .......

(h20jnky) · (h20jnky) **Join Date: Mar 2003** 05-22-2005, 2:08 PM

any leaks? check all your hoses to transmission and look over bilge for tranny fluid. you may have a spliced line or over fill and tranny is not being lubricated.

also, you might check your propshaft and strut? if either is slightly bent, you will get whining and tranny vibration and that is very noticeable. early season riding tends to have more debris in the water from runoff and you could of hit an object unknowingly?

lastly, check your motor mounts. older malibus have lots of wood and you could have some dry rot that caught up over winter? off kilter motors will cause excessive trannywear, noise and vibration. check under carpeting where possible. the areas most prone to water damage are the stringer sidewalls in the engine compartment, the same areas that the motor mounts are located.

(Message edited by h20jnky on May 22, 2005)

(hypo303) · (hypo303) **Join Date: Jun 2004** 05-22-2005, 4:58 PM

ok i have no leaks now its seem that it is whistling under the boat by the prop
do i have to pack any bearings ...or think it might be the rear bearing in the transmission
has anyone ever changed this

(ralph) · (ralph) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 05-22-2005, 6:28 PM

Most likely to be your strut bearing. Don't worry they are cheap!

(h20jnky) · (h20jnky) **Join Date: Mar 2003** 05-22-2005, 7:14 PM

might look into this tool if it is the rear strut (cutless) bearing. it will eliminate headaches and any additional damage if you decide to do it yourself:

http://www.strutpro.com/

darin mate, greetings to you back at home! looks like us "kiwis" are the only ones turning wrenches these days...

(hypo303) · (hypo303) **Join Date: Jun 2004** 05-23-2005, 4:15 AM

thanks for the info ,i guess that where I'll
start with the strut ...is this a common problem..
will he sound travel up the shaft ....will it
rumble the tranny

luv2wake2 05-23-2005, 5:04 AM

I had a small ding in my prop and I could move the prop shaft from side to side, had a little play in it. So I replaced the strut bearings and took the prop to the shop.That smoothed everything out. My 99 Malibu takes 30 wt oil in the transfer and Dexron 2 in the transmisson.

(hypo303) · (hypo303) **Join Date: Jun 2004** 05-23-2005, 2:22 PM

its seems like noone wants to work on my inboard out here ,unless i drive hour aand half away..
is there any way i can test,, to see if its my strut bearings are bad ... can i disconnect from the tranny
without any problems..

(hypo303) · (hypo303) **Join Date: Jun 2004** 05-23-2005, 6:22 PM

ok i found a place its seems to be around $300
to change the strut bearing ....am i getting ripped off
seems pretty high ....i would do it myself
but im afraid to screw it up , plus i dont know what size bearing to buy..cant find any diagrams

luv2wake2 05-24-2005, 7:39 PM

Malibu makes there own strut bearing. Mine has a front and rear bearing. There about 60 bucks a bearing. You'll have to order it from your dealer. Grab a hold of the prop and see if there is some side to side play in it. Maybe spin the prop by hand and see if it feels smooth and quiet arond the full circle.

(hypo303) · (hypo303) **Join Date: Jun 2004** 05-25-2005, 7:17 PM

Thanks for everyones input......
My prop was pretty bad. So got a new one
I think that was the problem....We'll see.......