Alpha 1 U-joint replacment

[Big-E]

Ok i rebuilt my motor about 1 year ago and thought the u joints were ok. Since i got the motor running they have been making noise and for last season i just kind of ignored it. I want replace them now before this season starts (im in florida so that will be soon) and have some questions. <br /><br />I know u-joints are pressed in and from searching other posts i gather it is expensive to have a shop change the u-joints. If i take the drive to a shop and have the u-joints anyone care take a guess at how much they will charge me to press them in and out? <br /><br />Also when search a found severl post's saying you can change them yourself with a socket and a c-clamp. Anyone care to explain this process? <br /><br />While im in there i will also check my gimbel bearing and from what ive read via search if it has no play and rolls smooth it should be ok? <br /><br /><br />Thanks, <br /><br />Big-E<br /><br />Boat is 1989 model year btw.

 

[hoot]

Re: Alpha 1 U-joint replacment

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6A3R3.PDF <br /><br />this site helped me when i did mine.

 

[Big-E]

Re: Alpha 1 U-joint replacment

allright thanks alot.. So the c-clamp socket trick is easy. Just use the socket to push the older bearing cap in. Dosnt even require diss of driveshaft. <br /><br />Thanks, <br /><br />Big-E

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Alpha 1 U-joint replacment

Once you have the shaft on the bench,the joints also tap apart easy,and go together easy with a hammer.Seldom need more than my 8 ounce ball peen.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Big-E]

Re: Alpha 1 U-joint replacment

so the ujoints just need to be tapped in with a small hammer? How come they say they must be pressed in and out then? <br /><br />thanks, <br /><br />Big-E

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Alpha 1 U-joint replacment

Big-E, You can use a hammer and drift to tap the bearing caps in and out, or use a c-clamp or vise. Just be careful with the hammer not to distort the new caps. On my Alpha 1 Gen I, you also need to remove the bearing retainer to the upper gearcase to get access to the inner U-joint. I used a Stilson Wrench to turn it. A pipe or strap wrench may work as well.<br /><br />You might like to try to match the u-joints up to standard automotive ones. Mercury u-joints are 2+ times more expensive than standard automotive.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Alpha 1 U-joint replacment

dont try to match them with auto stuff, sometimes the keepers are not correct and the joint will develop a knock, I see it a lot cause the napa stuff is a lot cheaper.<br />Chris1956, can you explain how to get the proper tightening torque on the ring nut with a stilson wrench? this I gotta hear.best I recall the torque spec on that nut is about 200ft pounds and is rather difficult to achive without the retainer tool and a torque wrench and the conversion chart on page3A-7 of manual 6, its also in the later manual as well.<br /> some of the shops I contract with dont have the ujoint press and after marking the yoke,cross and drive shaft for orientation at reassy its easy to tap the joints out , its also a good time to check the drive yoke seal surface for wear and replace the seal. that seal is a leading cause of "sudden" upper case failure.<br /> the tooling for this job is realativly inexpensive but some of it is nessasary, the first tool is the correct service manual and to actually read said manual until you understand not only the procedure but why the procedure is required.<br />then you can break out the hand tools.

 

[Big-E]

Re: Alpha 1 U-joint replacment

Thanks guys for the help.. <br /><br />I wasn't going to use automotive u joints just cause the marine ones arn't that much more expensive. I think napa has them for $29.00 each.. <br /><br />later, <br /><br />Big-E

 

[ajkolar]

Re: Alpha 1 U-joint replacment

Does this hold true for OMC u-joints as well? I would assume that are about the same. I plan to replace mine this spring as well, will I need any special tools, or just the C-clamp and socket? What size socket? Thanks!

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: Alpha 1 U-joint replacment

aj - on my '89 I used a big c-clamp (actually a ball joint press - basically just a 6" c-clamp)and socket. I needed just the right sized socket though. 1-1/8" maybe - to be large enough to allow the cap to be pressed out, but small enough that it would sit properly on this part<br /> <br />

<br /><br />of the shaft.