I recently bought a Mud Buddy 35 HD sport a couple months ago . It runs great but at a idle with the prop running in and out of the water I get some drive noise . Is that normal or do I need to look into replacing the bearings ? Thanks

What kind of noise?

You can see if its bearings by turning the prop by hand. If there are odd sounds and intermittent resistance- likely bearings.

B. MacDonald

Could also be an unbalanced prop...

B. MacDonald

The bearings are in the flared housings on the outdrive. You can run the motor at idle in gear and put your hand on the outdrive in those locations and feel if the bearings are grinding. Bearing failure in the outdrive is usually due to failed seals on the outdrive allowing water in that causes corrosion on the ball bearings. If this is the case, you will need to rebuild the drive (seals, bearings).

I would lube the drive first and see what's in it. If you don't have the history of the lower unit you can do a more complete lube of the rear bearings by removing the stainless seal cap at the end of the drive. Look for grease compromised with water- this is an indication that the seals are leaking.

- Pull the prop and get a large crescent on the stainless rear seal cap which is REVERSE THREADED - so you are turning the cap Clockwise to remove.
-Inspect the rear race that's on the shaft- if there are deep grooves in it (enough to catch your fingernail on) where the seals ride, you should replace the rear seal and race at a minimum.
-Leave the side allen drain bolt in for now and with the seal cap off, pump some quality marine lube in the zerk on the top of the outdrive until fresh grease comes through the rear bearings.
-Remove the side drain allen bolt and put something on the ground under the drive to catch grease. Reinstall the rear seal cap which will push old grease out the side drain port.
-With the seal cap reinstalled, pump grease into the zerk until only fresh grease is coming out the side drain port. Leave the drain open for now.
-Start the motor up, put it in gear, and run it at idle (stay clear of the prop) watching the side drain. As the grease heats up it will expand and some will push out of the side drain hole. When the grease stops expanding and oozing from the side drain, kill the motor and reinstall the side drain allen bolt.

If you run in sandy or sandy silt areas, check the rear seal each year as part of normal mtc.

Worn and new rear race- the race screws onto the drive shaft: