V-drive CLUNK?

[kbtheboz]

Hey my V-drive friends, my neighbor, who relies on me for guidance, slightly curled his prop this weekend. We replaced his prop with a spare and took it out for a test drive.

I don't have much/any experience with V-drives so I don't know if they normally "clunk" into gear. His had an audible sound when it went into forward gear. My DD's have never made a sound, as you would expect with the type of tranny's they have. Is it normal for the V-drive unit to clunk into gear. It wasn't a hard hit, like an outboard or an I/O, but it was noticeable. Am I just spoiled with my DD's or should I check something before he goes on his week long vacation?

thanks,

[Chauncemaster]

On my 2002 VLX if I have the cushion over the vdrive off while running I can hear a pretty solid clunk when I go into gear. It is especially noticable if I am popping in and out of idle. With all the seat cushions in place I can't really hear it though unless I am really listening for it.

I wish I could tell you whether this is an issue to be concerned about or not but all I can offer is that my boat does it too.

[WakeGirl]

What year & model is the boat in question?

[Brad B]

None here - only way to tell I'm in forward gear is the boat moves.

[Web]

Mine clunks a little. More in reverse than forward....but def. a little clunk.

[kbtheboz]

What year & model is the boat in question?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's a 2001 VLX with less than 100 hrs. It sounds like normal gear lash, but I wanted a second opinion from some V-drive guys.

[JohnDoe]

I have always had what I consider a clunk. One thing that affects it for sure is the tautness of the connection to the transmission, and the speed of idle of the motor. Low tranny fluid can be a culprit too.

Some boats will slowly engage the tranny (much like a clutch) if you move the shifter forward a little (but before "Forward idle" position). Those generally have a smoother engagement. Some have tighter conncetions and you are either in gear or out and a clunk can be felt. A cold motor idles faster and will engage more abruptly, a warm motor idles slower and engages smoother.

So whats my point? Just that there are nuances to every combination. In my understanding, the throttle does 2 things :engages the tranny and controls throttle. The linkages are such that it adds throttle just after the tranny is enagged. When throttle is applied before tranny engages, then clunks are worse. IF it seems really out of the ordinary, have a dealer look at it. Basically, it's a timing issue of what happens first when the shifter goes to forward or backward position.

[WakeGirl]

Age/wear on the tranny could be part of it. I've been in a few older Malibus (direct drives) that do that.

[LS-One]

Don't forget the V-drive is ahead of the engine so the sound is not being drowned out by engine noise like on a direct drive.

[corpusmalibuguy]

04 Vdrive......definite clunck with seat cover off.

[Peacock]

05 Vdrive....clunkless.

[UWSkier]

Not really a clunk. It's more of a loud tick or clink.

[Pistol Pete]

My tranny usually clunks into forward. Not all the time and not noticeable in reverse. The first time I drove a Nautique with a velvet drive, the only thing I liked was that it went into gear super smooth. No feeling at all.

I think wakebrdgod is right. It all depends on the boat. I've dinged two props and never had any issues after swapping the props.

[corpusmalibuguy]

sorry, i meant to say," 05 VDrive......definite clunk with seat cover off."

Definitely not a 'clank' though...then I would be worried.

[Chauncemaster]

I listened carefully this weekend while I was out and mine is more like a thunk than a clunk

[Brad B]

I did too and I had never even noticed it before but there is a bit of a thump.

[mrothwell]

So, now we have:

Thunk

Thump

Clunk

Clank

Clink

Tick

I think that should cover it. Sounds like your tranny is just fine (whatever that means).