baja 232 low speed knocking
 

I have just purchased a 02 232 and at low speeds it has a small knocking noise. It doesn't seem to be from the engine, possibly the drive???? Anyone have any ideas???? Could it be a u-joint?

If your exhaust has flappers, check there, if not, it may be u-joints in the drive.

Does it knock in gear or out of gear? Can you place your hand on the top of the drive when it is doing it? If it is in the drive you should feel it. Try that only at an idle.. not a safe recommended procedure at any other speed.. and two people in the boat please.. etc.

Ujoints can dry up, but they have to be awful dry to cause a knock, unless they are worn to nothing.. then it should break and give a whole new set up problems. It wouldnt hurt to pull the drive and rotate the joints to see if they are loose or dry. There should be grease fittings on them. Grease them and check the color of the grease that squeezes out.. look for water, etc.
Hope that helps.
Dick

Does it have thru hull exhaust tips??? If so, it is most likely the internal exhaust flappers.

I bought a baja 272 that had that problem. Most noise when drive trimmed down or turning. Turned out the be gimble bearings where wasted.

I second the gimbal bearing. Mine is doing it right now. It's the worst at start up then quites down. It just started doing it so I'm guessing it'll get worse over time.