alpha one drive removal

[Paul Mariz]

hi need some help.<br />after i did my winterinzing of my engine 3 litres 135 hp mercruser and changed oil i decided to take out the drive, once was out i finded oil on the gimbel housing is that normal or what is the probleme if there is one

 

[Don S]

Re: alpha one drive removal

This link should help answer your questions.<br /><br /> http://www.mercstuff.com/howdoi.htm <br /><br />What year drive is it, an Alpha I, or an Alpha I Gen II? Lots of differences.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: alpha one drive removal

If you found gear oil in the bellows at the gimbal that means the seal at the ujoints is bad.Needs to be changed.Charlie

 

[Paul Mariz]

Re: alpha one drive removal

Thanks Don S and Crazy Charlie<br />In fact i put the drive on a table and seen oil comming out trough the oil seal.<br />Dons S, my stern drive is a 1990 i guess is a alpha one. in a other topic that i added posted i mentioned that i have founded oil in the motor compartement.<br />Question: could oil drive get inside of the boat"<br />Is that a big job to change the seal, i saw that you need a special tool to open the retainer, can we doit whithout it, or if is better to send it to repair by a expert<br />My other question i did my winterizing my self i founded the eazi way to circualte antifreeze is by the foot i run the engine previously to warm it up so the thermost open the a swicthed to antifreze it took about 5 gallons, am i safe or sould i open the hoses and put again some more,<br />OK for know be ware of my english is not so perfect see you later PePere from Canada,Quebec

 

[rodbolt]

Re: alpha one drive removal

you will need the retainer tool, cheap enough. the pinion nut and washer, NEVER REUSE THEM. the eisest way is to buy the seal and carrier assy. usually its a problem with a grooved yoke and the input yoke and ujoint will need replacing as well. you will need a torque wrench on reassy. all the spacs are in the book. there were 2 designs of the input yoke and depending on which you have will determine the correct pinion nut torque procedure. how much access to tools such as press's and such do you have ?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: alpha one drive removal

Sounds like you winterized properly as long as you are sure the thermostat was open.An easy check is to open each drain on manifolds and engine block to be sure antifreeze comes out.I like to have my mechanic do seals for me .It is easy money for him and cheap for you and you keep a good mechanic this way.Charlie

 

[Paul Mariz]

Re: alpha one drive removal

Tanks rodbolt and crazy charlie <br />If i understant well i hould need to change the complet u/joint and shaft they look very good to me my serial number on the drive is A388651 B what kit sould i need.<br /><br />As per the oil founded in bildge any idea if could be coming from my liky oil seal as well, and yes i will check each drain that will give a peace of mind.<br /><br />PePere<br />Canada,Quebec

 

[Paul Mariz]

Re: alpha one drive removal

Hi Crazy Charlie<br />You know i follow your advise and open the drain plugs and it was very hard to say if A/F was there, one thing i did to be sure i open the 2 hoses at thermostat and filled again with A/F i think for next year i will go dry and had A/F by the hoses (nes pas )<br /><br />Rodbolt i decided to repair my seal by mecanic for me is more convinient aparently they reface the yoke because originaly are a bit to fat thats why the oil seal they go caput this was mentioned by my mecanic dont know if is correct<br />what do you think about it......

 

[MRS]

Re: alpha one drive removal

PePere, I did my lower unit and it was not hard to do but like you I was going to do the upper but gave to the machanic to do to many special tools I did not have plus he did say that the shaft did ruin my seal and thats why I had oil in my bilge. Sometimes it is cheaper to pay and get it done right I am learning.........

 

[tystick]

Re: alpha one drive removal

Originally posted by rodbolt:<br /> you will need the retainer tool, cheap enough. the pinion nut and washer, NEVER REUSE THEM. the eisest way is to buy the seal and carrier assy. usually its a problem with a grooved yoke and the input yoke and ujoint will need replacing as well. you will need a torque wrench on reassy. all the spacs are in the book. there were 2 designs of the input yoke and depending on which you have will determine the correct pinion nut torque procedure. how much access to tools such as press's and such do you have ?

Questions for rodbolt:<br /><br />1.What is the problem with reusing a pinon nut and washer?<br /><br />2. why does a grooved yoke make replacing the yoke seal difficult? what year did they stop using grooved yoke? Are there any tricks to make it easier?<br /><br />3. If the original position is marked before disassembly then a torque wrench is not required?<br /><br />I have alignment tool and retainer tool -<br /><br />PERE, how do you reface yoke? I wondered why the yoke seal seems to be a merc design flaw. Maybe this is the reason

 

[Don S]

Re: alpha one drive removal

Tystick, first of all, I shouldn't be answering your questions on this thread anyway, these questions should be brought up in your own thread instead of Hijacking PePere's thread. But here goes anyway, if you have anymore questions, start a new thread.<br /><br />

1.What is the problem with reusing a pinon nut and washer?

They have a tendency to fail when reused. When they fail, they will take more expensive parts with them. New ones are just a safety measure.<br /><br />

2. why does a grooved yoke make replacing the yoke seal difficult? what year did they stop using grooved yoke? Are there any tricks to make it easier?<br />

The grove is not a manufactured groove, it's a grove worn into the sealing surface of the yoke by the old seal. If the new seal doesn't hit that grove perfectly in every way, (and even if it does) it could leak. Thus causing low oil in the upper and gear and bearing failure.<br /><br /><br />

3. If the original position is marked before disassembly then a torque wrench is not required?

WRONG, a torque wrench IS required.<br /><br />From the sounds of your questions, if you don't want to follow the advise in the manual and do it exactly as shown in the manual, don't expect your drive to last very long. There is a very good reason for all those specs and checks, back lashes, rolling torques, inspection steps etc in the manual. That is what is needed to make the drive stay together more than one outing.