Wanted to give an update - Had a on and off grinding noise from the upper gear case. Thought it was the ball gears sense they were pretty worn. My neighbor and I took it apart, ordered new gears and they came yesterday. We installed yesterday and were going to take for a run today. Hooked up the muffs and ran at the house first and noise still there. Took apart the intermediate case and bearings and all looked good. Took apart the drive case and couldnt get out the shaft. Finally got it out and there was nothing left of the inner bearing skirt that holds the bearing together.

Will get new bearings and inner seals tomorrow and hopefully be ready for the water. The ball gears were not the problem but dont feel bad for replacing them, they were pretty torn up.

Dave