Rumble sound coming from the front of the i/o shaft

[delawarerick]

Got the body work done still to find where the water is coming in started it and it makes a rumbling sound around the shaft and it sound like something rubbing gimble bearing? Leak is coming in the slot under where the shaft comes in. Any ideas or where to start by the way the donzi is for sale a 1966 16. thanks Rick

[King Dad]

Gimble bearing, possible u-joints. Pull OD. and look/touch. Leak is probably shift cable bellows. Stand at right side of outdrive with drive tilted up. Push OD away to the port side. Look and feel the small bellows @ the shift cable. I would think the bellows has a hole and/or ripped/torn. Direct shot into the boat for water.

[delawarerick]

Thank you I am sure you are right.

[racervboat]

If the driveshaft bellows is leaking could make the u joints and gimbal bearing rusty and making noise and water could be leaking into boat if the seal behind the gimbal bearing is bad?

[delawarerick]

How do you replace that seal and check it. thanks Rick

[FUJIMO]

...Always try to refrain from tilting the drive all the way up, with the gearshift in forward & running the boat, even on the trailer. The cross bearings(u-joints) can cut the main large rubber bellows, & then leak. This goes for the Alpha's & the Bravo's. Any drive that shifts in the drive itself, as the input shaft & u-joints are always spinning, even while in neutral & running.