My mercruiser 454 with a HP500 bravo transom assembly and stern jack has a squeak at idle that sounds rubbery. When I adjust the trim slightly it stops then starts again. I can't find grease fittings on the transom assembly, my older bravo assembly had grease fittings. Could the squeak be due to lubrication or a bearing? I have a 30 mile water ski race to run this weekend, am I risking more damage to run the boat? Thanks for reading, Jim

There are no grease fittings on any of the pivot points. Could be the steering linkage, have you lubricated those areas? My first guess would be the upper pin bushing. See if you have any play up there and that the U-bolt nuts are torqued to 50 ft lb. If it is squeaking up there you could try spray/squirt and bit of oil in side on the yoke arm, but it won't break on you, may start leaking water in when the pin seal drops below the water. Just my WAG

That is correct no grease zerks no more. the assemblies have changed and for no gimbal bearing greasing either. Past assemblies had the zerk for GB greasing. Current for the past 8 / 9 years does not.

Merc spec for the gimble ring pinch bolt nuts is 53 ft lbs and no more than 55 ft lbs of torque

is the noise power steering ? or gimble bearing ? gimble bearings growl when going bad and that noise gets worse when one turns the steering wheel - lock to lock

You mentioned stern jack - they can be hard on the gimbal bearing just saying as the possible area to look at and my guess

Thanks for the leads! I don't have a gimble growl or vibration yet, it doesn't get worse with steering. The transom assembly was new a few years ago with the transom recoring and has low hours, but I'm not ruling anything out yet. Good point, the noise could be the power steering, the shuttle valve is back there, I didn't think of the steering because it occurs without steering input at idle. I'll check the power steering fluid again as I just changed a leaking external hose on the mayfair steering, the fluid was topped off but maybe some bubbles worked out. If that doesn't solve it I'll check the gimble ring pinch bolt nuts and try squirting oil inside the yoke arm.

I'd put money on u-joints. If you have greaseball you joints on the shaft pull the drive real quick and grease them. See if it goes away

I agree and would like to add.....everyone check these when greasing them...Won't be the first time a Ujoint 's drilled grease channel isn't drilled right and only a cap or two get's grease. So, check all caps get grease when greasing them.

and while the drive is off run the engine to see if noise is still there or completely gone. that will tell you which side the issue is.