drive up or down when storing

[simple]

Why is it better to keep the drive as low as possible when storing? Is this because it's bad on the trim cylinders or the bellows?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: drive up or down when storing

Bellows, yes. Up stretches them and in very cold weather it's hard on the rubber. It also prevents the exhaust from collecting water and causing potential freeze problems there.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: drive up or down when storing

The better way of storing is with the drive down but the best way of storing is with the drive off.This will allow the bellows to be down and you can take the drive indoors like a garage or basement and do some maintenance to it in the off season.You really dont want to go more than a season or two the most without greasing the ujoints and checking the gimbal bearing.Yopu can also inspect the bellows much more carefully and lube the shift arm.Make sure you fill the drive shaft bellows with a rag and cover the opening of the belhousing if you take the drive off.Charlie

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: drive up or down when storing

Drive off with trim rams retracted is best. <br /><br />Logic behind drive down is this:<br /><br />1. Water will drain best with drive down, will not get trapped anywhere.<br /><br />2. Bellows are in a relaxed position.<br /><br />3. Trim rams are retracted and protected. <br /><br />4. Rain water less likely to fall into prop exhaust and collect in lower unit (see #1).<br /><br />Down, Down, Down. Or off if you can.

 

[swist]

Re: drive up or down when storing

In extreme climates, water collecting in the prop hub exhaust channel has been known to freeze hard enough to do damage.<br /><br />By the way, these comments apply to outboards as well. Put the thing all the way down once it's been trailered to its storage site. (although I don't know of too many people who take off the lower unit unless they are changing the water pump or doing some other off-season maintenance).

 

[cc lancer]

Re: drive up or down when storing

I see no beneficial reason to take the drive off and "store" it for the winter. How many dealers and marinas remove the drives on used boats for the winter. If you pull the drive for an annual inspection to grease the Gimbel bearing, and the universal joint, check for leaks. If it is necessary to install a new bellows, Mercruiser recommends using bellows adhesive, prior to installing the clamps. Use caution so as not to puncture the bellows with a screw driver, when installing.<br /><br />Drive down, tilt the boat so no water will be trapped in the exhaust bellow, check for water in the lower unit, replace with new oil, wrap in plastic for the winter and forgetaboutit.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: drive up or down when storing

WOW!! CClancer,I find it hard to believe that you would make a statement like that that after being on this forum for a while.How can you think that there are no benefits in removing the drive??????I think you will have a hard time finding someone to agree with that.Removing the drive is one of the easier things to do and has nothing to do with removing the bellows or gluing anything or any screwdrivers.I am at a loss for words except that you are dead wrong. Charlie

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: drive up or down when storing

While I have to admitt that changing bellows is a pain, I have never had to disconnect bellows to remove a drive. Put the shifter in forward, remove the trim/tilt "pin", take off six nuts and pull on the drive.......it's off. Great opertunity to inspect bellows, look at and check gimble bearing and inspect/lube u-joints. As Charlie said, make sure you cover the housing while the drive is off.

 

[cc lancer]

Re: drive up or down when storing

How many dealers and marinas remove the drives on used boats for the winter.<br /><br />None that I know of.<br /><br />Name any good reasons other than thief for removing and storing?<br /><br />Mercruiser recommends using bellows adhesive when installing new bellows. {Section 4-39 Mercruiser service manual goes into detail about cleaning off old adhesive, and applying new adhesive.}<br /><br /><br />When installing new bellows use caution so as not to puncture the newly installed bellows with a screw driver.

 

[jlinder]

Re: drive up or down when storing

Once you get the drive off, how hard is it to put it back on? Any special tools, adhesive, etc.<br /><br />Wouldn't want to pull it and find out I needed a mechanich to put it back on.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: drive up or down when storing

To get it off it has to be in Forward. To get it back on it has to be in Forward. Getting everything lined-up at the same time is a Mechanic's Ballet. It's heavy and it's clumsy. The u-jointed driveshaft wobbles all over the place and pinches your greasy fingers. God I Love It!<br /><br />No special tools or adhesives needed, but you'll want an outdrive gasket set. It comes with the gasket and all the rubber o-rings. About $10. A manual would be a huge help. Check your library if you don't want to buy one right now. Many have them. Libraries are great advertising for manuals in a way. Once you see one, you'll realize that if you want to do the work yourself you have to have one.<br /><br />cc lancer, you do realize you can unbolt the drive from the housing don't you? You don't have to undo the bellows.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: drive up or down when storing

Originally posted by simple:<br /> Why is it better to keep the drive as low as possible when storing? Is this because it's bad on the trim cylinders or the bellows?

What type of drive?

 

[cc lancer]

Re: drive up or down when storing

Thanks WillyB, I agree.<br />I had to put new bellows on an Alpha 1 Saturday and it was a pain in the butt, do you use one of the expander tools?<br />And any particular reason you don't use adhesives<br />when Merc. recommends using it?

 

[John_S]

Re: drive up or down when storing

"Name any good reasons other than thief for removing and storing?"<br /><br />Purchased my first I/O this year. Removed the Alpha 1 gen II drive for winter. Went very smoothly. Here is some reasons why I did:<br /><br />- Allows for easy touch-up painting of skeg and any other drive parts, that need it, over the winter months. <br /><br />- Allows for better inspection and planning for repairs/maintenance in the spring. You will need to pull in spring to check engine alignment, anyway.<br /><br />- Able to be removed before putting into final winter resting spot. ie don't have to worry about drive up/down while positioning boat. Also my final wintering spot has less available light, and less room to work. <br /><br />- Allows for removal of battery, prior to moving into final resting spot. <br /><br />Theft is not an issue where my boat is stored.

 

[garycinn]

Re: drive up or down when storing

Originally posted by Jack L:<br /> Once you get the drive off, how hard is it to put it back on? Any special tools, adhesive, etc.<br /><br />Wouldn't want to pull it and find out I needed a mechanich to put it back on.

You should use a torque wrench to put the six nuts back on. Merc recommends not re-using the nylock nuts, but I think that is nuts. I use Merc's Perfect Seal to coat both sides of the $10 gasket.