Nagging problems with 99 SNOB

[SGY]

I love my 99 SNOB. Great boat. Love the GT-40 motor. With that said, the engine cover is giving me fits. The shock on the starboard side keeps popping off. I spoke with Woody at SE CC who understood the problem and sent me a couple of pieces of composite blocks to brace the ball joint on the engine cover skirt. This seems to have worked. My next problem is that the clam shell does not sit flush against the back of the skirt. There is so much pressure from the shock that the hinge is deforming along the back corners of the clam shell. Any suggestions? It's such a tight fit that I don't think one could move the pivot point for the shock on the skirt--althought that would be the best fix in my mind.

Another problem I'm having is that the tranny is making noise when just engaging reverse and forward. Once it is under full load the rattling sound goes away. The guys at Skidim explained that the noise is from gear lash--which makes sense to me. However, I just took the boat in for an alignment and my trusted mechanic indicated he heard the noise and really didn't buy the gear lash story. My mechanic indicated that they worked on alot of these PCM trannies in the late 90's due to a weak pressure plate design. He also indicated that one day I would not be able to engage the forward gear. Yuk. Any comments on this would also be appreciated.

Thanks

Steve

[JJ]

Steve,
The motor box/gas shock has been a problem in the past. I had it on my '99 boat. The shocks are so strong that they tend to bend the ball joint down causing it to pop off. After you brace the ball joint, try using lighter duty shocks. You can get them in different strengths. They are rated by pounds of lifting force. My neighbor still has our '99 and he hasn't had any more problems since I replaced them with lighter duty ones. You motor box won't fly up as fast when you unlock it, but it fits better. You may even have to pull it open and let the shocks hold it up. I sware the ones they use would launch a small child off of the motor box with ease.

Sorry, I can help you with the tranny.

As you know, I still have a nice 206 with your name on it. It will help you forget about all your troubles.

Jeff.

[SGY]

99 SNOB

Thanks Jeff. I'll try as you suggest. Any idea who sells these shocks?

Regarding your 206, I'm not totally out of the market. Depends on how things go the rest of the summer. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again,

Steve.

[JJ]

Steve,
I got mine through my local dealer, but I think most auto parts stores sell them. My suv has the same brand lifing the back window. Just make sure they are the same length.

Good luck, let me know how it goes.

Jeff.