Affordable U-Joint Replacement

[Captianloud]

For those of you in need of a u joint replacement and you are on a budget and you're the type to do-it-yourself here is some helpfull info. <br /><br />94 Mercruiser 4.3L V6, Alpha-one Gen II outdrive.<br /><br />Try NAPA Part Number 210-1306 (315G) $11.69 each. Much cheaper than $89.79 for mercruiser part.<br /><br />Auto application includes 67-69 Dodge Charger w/ 318 Cubic Inch V8. Joints have zerk style grease fitting. Think of the dynamic loads of an auto application, then think of the smooth constant load of a marine application. <br /><br /><br />I know there will be those of you who dont share my opinions of using some select auto-parts in a marine application, for those people please be smart enough to spend $90 each on u-joints. Thank you.

 

[ScottieinNC]

Re: Affordable U-Joint Replacement

Did this work OK for you? How many hours on this change? How well suited is this part to a marine environment? Loads may be less but corrosion may be a factor too.<br /><br />Interesting post!

 

[JIm Cook]

Re: Affordable U-Joint Replacement

I spent a heck of a lot of time searching data bases<br />on the web trying to cross my Bravo u-joints to an<br />automotive equal. Never could do it. There was always a tiny little dimension difference or<br />something that wasn't quite right. I finally gave up<br />and gotter done with original parts. It wasn't the <br />cost difference as much as the challenge. Some previous post have suggested crossing u-joints over<br />and wonder if anyone had success.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Affordable U-Joint Replacement

Merc,OMC,BRP,and Volvo probably don't each make u-joints.If can get the same thing they use ... go for it.<br /><br />The problem is the surety that the part is capable.<br /><br />Last year we had a new aftermarket outdrive throw a ujoint.Caused $1600 in parts alone.I feel it was a c-clip that wasn't properly seated.<br /><br />If you do guess on a ujoint,and you are wrong,it can get expensive.<br /><br />DHP

 

[paulie0735]

Re: Affordable U-Joint Replacement

I hope it works out for you, I doubt any of the outdrive manufactures actually make their our joints but they will have them made to a standard. What looks the same is often different.

 

[Captianloud]

Re: Affordable U-Joint Replacement

As far as corrosion goes. I live in NE PA, where our winters are wet and snowy/icy. Penndot is sure to spend their annual budget on road salt, and I drive my truck in the snow, rain, mud, and dry. My truck u joints are near 100k old, and fine. IF your bellow is good, its dry in there. <br /><br />As far as catostrophic failure, I think a poor install job is more likely that a c-clip. <br /><br />Look there are roughly 32 u joints ever manufactured/used. ever. If you think Merc or OMC tooled up thier own u- joint then well then I have tickets for a round trip vacation to the moon for sale...........

 

[Don S]

Re: Affordable U-Joint Replacement

The Spicer number for that ujoint is 5-1306X. Hmmmm parts of that number sounds familiar.<br />Have used the 5-1306X Spicer joints for years on gas and diesel, on OMC, Mercruiser and Volvo with no problems. Mine are 6 years old and work fine.<br />But these only works on the ones with internal C clips, not the newer Volvo and Mercruier ones with the internal snap rings on the end of the end caps.<br /><br />Corrosion shouldn't be a problem if you pull your drive and inspect yearly and grease the ujoints.<br />There really isn't supposed to be water around the ujoints anyway.

 

[horsefly38425]

Re: Affordable U-Joint Replacement

my omc cobra had rockwell joints in it. 40$ ea not a bad price for quailty parts/but i got a kit off e-bay 2 joints gimbal gaskets 65$ they are much lighter/c clips are thin if they make it through the summer rockwells will go in this winter

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Affordable U-Joint Replacement

I don't think the U-joints are marine-specific. Same thing as on a car if you can find the right match. They rust up too if water gets in the bellows. Cheap knockoffs are frequently made with inferior materials. Rockwell wuld be a good choice.

 

[JIm Cook]

Re: Affordable U-Joint Replacement

The materials are not likely to be marine specific but the dimensions may be. On page 7 of this PDF,<br />look at the L15 series. There are two listings for the L15 and the "critical" dimension seems to be the snap ring dimension. Also the foot notes say marine<br />applications. <br /> http://www.meritorhvs.com/MeritorHVS_Documents/Chap 11.pdf <br />Chap 11.pdf (application/pdf Object)

 

[JIm Cook]

Re: Affordable U-Joint Replacement

One more comment then I'll hush up.<br />The u-joints I replaced[originals] had L15N-1S cast into them.<br />I purchased a new shaft-yoke assembly with u-joints pre-installed and they were marked the same.<br />96 Bravo III.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Affordable U-Joint Replacement

Captian, Several years ago I needed to replace the u-Joints in my Alpha I Gen I. Fed up with the ~$50 ea price, I had the auto parts guy match them up. I noted the u joint number for reference: Precision 315G.<br /><br />They have been working for multiple seasons and cost ~$10 ea.

 

[texsun]

Re: Affordable U-Joint Replacement

Don, would those Spicer 5-1306X u-joints work on my '96 VolvoPenta/Cobra SX drive? <br />Mark