Thanks! and a U-joint question

[rad1026]

I just want to say thanks for the help in bellows replacement. I pulled my outdrive last night after my first run at the lake for the weekend. Boat was in the water all weekend and no water in the bellows! NICE..... Thank you!!!!!

Ok, two question. While I have my outdrive off I want to remove the two U-joint plugs and replace them with grease fittings. I tried using some locking pliers last night with no luck. Before I hack these things up trying to get them off does anybody have any tips?

And, I have been using a new type gasket with the rubber sealant lines already on the gasket, you know what I'm talking about. I have the standard type gasket that came with the bellows kit that I was going to use when I put my outdrive back on. Are the new type gaskets better to use? Should I go get one or is it just as good to use the standard type gasket?

 

[Coors]

Re: Thanks! and a U-joint question

A 1/4 or 5/16 socket?

 

[rad1026]

Re: Thanks! and a U-joint question

There are just plugs in there that have no edges for a wrench, they are just round.

 

[Coors]

Re: Thanks! and a U-joint question

Never saw that. Can you take a chisel and try to turn them?

 

[stevieray]

Re: Thanks! and a U-joint question

Did you get to check the hull/deck joint for leak (see your other thread)?

 

[rad1026]

Re: Thanks! and a U-joint question

Stevieray, I did take the bumper off last night and I'm pretty sure that some resealing needs to be done in the joint area. I looks like someone had tried to repair it before by just taking some silicon around the bottom of the bumper. So I'm going to take all that silicon off and see if I can clean out the (what looks to be original) sealant around the joint and reseal with some good marine silicon. I bet ya that takes care of it. I appreciate the tip on that. Any ideas on getting these U-joint plugs out?

 

[stevieray]

Re: Thanks! and a U-joint question

Is it possible that they might be automotive "permanently sealed" type? All the marine ones I have seen have the zerks already in there (or are supplied with the kit for you to install into threaded holes).

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Thanks! and a U-joint question

There are just plugs in there that have no edges for a wrench, they are just round.

If they were designed to be removed they would have a hex or allen head on em. If they are solid plugs, I would assume they are not serviceable.

 

[rad1026]

Re: Thanks! and a U-joint question

I'm getting that feeling Reel, I know on cars there are non-serviceable U-joints, but they usually do not last as long as ones that have a grease fitting. Should I just leave well enough alone and why the heck wouldn't they put grease fittings in to begin with?????

Any answers to the gasket question?

Thanks for the replys

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Thanks! and a U-joint question

Volvo U-joints on newer drives do not have greasable u-joints on them from the factory.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Thanks! and a U-joint question

Volvo U-joints on newer drives do not have greasable u-joints on them from the factory.

Nor do the u-joints on my 96' Alpha One Gen II .

 

[rad1026]

Re: Thanks! and a U-joint question

Thanks guys, I guess I'll just leave it alone. It's a brand new Merc Upper I purchased last year, so I probably is not serviceable.

Can anyone answer the gasket question? Is the standard gasket without the rubber lines on it ok to use or should I go get one of the new one's?

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Thanks! and a U-joint question

I would use the new style gasket if it fits your application. By far it's a better designed gasket.

 

[rad1026]

Re: Thanks! and a U-joint question

Just went by my repair shop to pick up a gasket and asked them about the U-joints. He said, DO NOT!!!!!!!, try to remove the plugs and replace them with grease fittings. He said there is a high tech, lifetime grease in the U-joints that never needs replacing. He said the little bit of grease that is in those joints would probably cost about $75 to replace. So I'm glad I didn't start tearing in to those things.