Bravo Two wear pads question and rust on my ujoint assembly

[Doggonitt]

While getting ready to prep our bravo 2 sterndrives for painting, I took a close look all around to check out the units. I noticed one of the wear pads missing from our starboard sterndrive on the outside of the drive. I don't know how long it has been missing, and probably wouldn't have even noticed it except I looked at both drives together. I had to search the internet to even find what they were. The bravo Manual, #11 does not show that part at all. (My sterndrives are 1998). Exactly what do they do? I cannot find any info on them. Also, on the starboard drive the ujoint assembly has a very fine layer of rust (both were covered with black trash bags for the winter in Mass.) Only this one has the rust. I was wondering if I could use a rust remover to clean it up before greasing it to be joined with the bell housing. And one more question. While looking over the drives and transom, I noticed only the plate anodes were bad. All anodes were replaced last season. The trim cylinder, trim tabs, and trim fins were all fine, almost no wear at all. I don't know which to be more concerned about. I think I might have used mixed zinc and aluminum anodes because I had spares, but don't know which ones were which. I checked to make sure of the 1 1/2 inch no paint zone around the housing, it was ok. The mercathode is ok also.
Just wondering why. It looks like my starboard drive was in much poorer shape all around. Again, don't know why. That drive is also missing the trim-in limit spacer. It's a mystery

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bravo Two wear pads question and rust on my ujoint assembly

Howdy, Doggonitt!

(I like how that sounds!)


You need Quicksilver #805261A 1, Wear Pad Kit.

Cheers,


Rick

 

[Doggonitt]

Re: Bravo Two wear pads question and rust on my ujoint assembly

Thank you. Now to find the part. I have looked at all the major marine stores, no one seems to carry it, or it is backordered til who knows when. Do you know what it is for? Called a wear plate,.... for what?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bravo Two wear pads question and rust on my ujoint assembly

This kit in my hot little hands came from a Mercury dealer in Tacoma, Wa. I ordered it and it wasn't a stock item but it came in a couple of weeks or so.

Here's a place that lists it... http://www.boats.net/parts/detail/merc2/M-805261A 1.html



The rust on your U-joint assy is just surface rust. It won't hurt a thing unless it got there from a previous bellows leak. If that's the case, you probably need to replace it (the bellows) and insure that it's NOT leaking.

Was the drive oil replaced before winter layup? If Not, you NEED to drain and refill both drives. (that should be done before winter layup to catch the water before it sits in there ALL winter)

 

[Doggonitt]

Re: Bravo Two wear pads question and rust on my ujoint assembly

Yes, drive oil changed. We take them off the housing every year and store in the yard. I wrap the u-joints with plastic grocery bags and then put a heavy duty black trash bag over the whole drive. So I'm guessing it was condensation that caused the rust. Bellows weren't leaking, but I am changing them this season as they are about 7 years old. thank you for the info. I have found some other places to buy also. I am having sticker shock at the prices these stores charge for marine parts. But I suppose it is better than the alternative. (replacing drives from neglect)
Thanks again

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Bravo Two wear pads question and rust on my ujoint assembly

Those wear pads are there to help keep your drive from wagging like a tail and guide the drive between their metal counterparts on the transom assembly. They're make of plastic because they are sacrificial. They take the wear so the aluminum doesn't. You can order them thru Sierra on line.

 

[Doggonitt]

Re: Bravo Two wear pads question and rust on my ujoint assembly

havasuboatman, Thank you for that info. I have looked everywhere for it. Being somewhat new to all of this, I rely on the manuals like they were my bible, but they do not always explain the intricacies of these parts and pieces. 'Tis a wonderful thing, this boat forum. To all of you officers that take the time to help, and the wise gurus, (Don and Bondo), I thank you for your time.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Bravo Two wear pads question and rust on my ujoint assembly

De nada.
Just so you know, those parts are left and right specific.

 

[gadget73]

Re: Bravo Two wear pads question and rust on my ujoint assembly

I would be checking the condition of your grounds on that starboard side. If a bonding wire was in poor shape, that might cause additional corrosion. It could also simply be that your starboard drive is physically closer to some other boat or metal structure with a grounding issue, and its causing additional stray current on that side.

 

[Doggonitt]

Re: Bravo Two wear pads question and rust on my ujoint assembly

I will check those also. We are putting the boat in a different marina this year, and it will be on a mooring. So we'll see what they are like at the end of this season. I am wondering if I should replace all the anodes back to zinc. They seem to take the hit of electrolysis better. I have to wonder why Merc changed them to aluminum when the outdrive itself is aluminum.

 

[Don S]

Re: Bravo Two wear pads question and rust on my ujoint assembly

The anodes are a different alloy of aluminum than the housing. The alum anodes works better on the Mercs than zinc.
Here is the 91 service bulletin on the aluminum anodes.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Bullet/91/91_19.pdf

 

[Doggonitt]

Re: Bravo Two wear pads question and rust on my ujoint assembly

Don, I had that bulletin, but wasn't sure if they changed them due to impact of zinc on environment. Also they only stated that it was aluminum alloy. As I am certainly on the low end of the curve on metals, that statement didn't do much for explanations. I learn something new every time I log on to this forum.

 

[Don S]

Re: Bravo Two wear pads question and rust on my ujoint assembly

Here is a copy and paste with more information from service bulletin 2003-02


Models Affected
All MCM and Outboard applications having aluminum anodes.
Situation
Several companies have begun manufacturing replacement aluminum anodes under
various brand names which are available through independent marine distributors. Our
analysis has concluded that despite their claims of purity and effectiveness, some of these
manufacturers of aluminum anodes use alloys which are insufficiently pure to adequately
protect critical drive components for the duration of the anodes? expected life.
Mercury?s testing has revealed that the chemical composition of some of these aluminum
anodes does not meet Mercury Marine?s specification for corrosion protection. The results
of a chemical analysis of numerous anode samples have found no less than four (4) critical
elements that are drastically outside our specified limits and those put forth by the United
States military in specification MIL-A-24779(SH). These inferior anodes may create
significant corrosion problems for you and your customers.
Anodes are designed to be galvanically very active and, therefore, corrode first, protecting
critical drive components. Because they are self-sacrificing, anodes must be made to
exacting standards, inspected often, and replaced when 50% consumed.

Several years ago Mercury Marine began using aluminum anodes in most of our
applications. We moved away from zinc anodes because the more galvanically active
aluminum anodes provide better protection for our drive components. It is extremely
important that aluminum anodes be produced from the correct alloy or they will fail to
protect the drive system as intended. Aluminum anodes should be manufactured to meet
or exceed the United States military specification MIL-A-24779(SH). All anodes sold by
Mercury Marine exceed this specification.
In order to properly protect critical drive components and assure continuing satisfaction of
our mutual end user customers, we strongly recommend the use of genuine Mercury
Precision Parts or Quicksilver branded replacement anodes when servicing Mercury
Marine products to be certain that these critical components will be adequately protected
from corrosion. Mercury will not cover corrosion warranty claims where customers have not
adequately protected their critical drive components.

 

[Doggonitt]

Re: Bravo Two wear pads question and rust on my ujoint assembly

Well, that was eye opening. Now I know why the other anodes don't have any wear. I believe that they are the aluminum ones, except that I got them really cheap on Ebay. (You get what you pay for, only you pay twice) I will go ahead and pull them all off and replace with Quick Silver. I should know better by now. I've always tried to save money where ever I could, it's why I do as much myself, before handing it off to a pro. But time after time, and not just in the marine environment, I have learned that sometimes spending extra on the right product saves more in the long run. This is especially so with the boat. After spending tens of thousands of dollars to purchase it, just to have a nice day on the water, the last thing I want is to be towed home, or worse.

Thank you for your time and knowledge.