Cobra drive has milky oil....Result from ripped bellows?

[Fordiesel69]

Ujoint bellows is ripped, can this cause the upper shaft seal to fail and make the outdrive oil milky? Or is there more serious issues with the drive?

 

[dubs283]

Re: Cobra drive has milky oil....Result from ripped bellows?

Ujoint bellows is ripped, can this cause the upper shaft seal to fail and make the outdrive oil milky?

absolutely

its called the yoke shaft seal and yes, it will let water in if it is present in the bellows

time to drain lube, change the seal and pressure test the drive

 

[backyard mechanic]

Re: Cobra drive has milky oil....Result from ripped bellows?

The ripped or torn bellows protects the U joints. It will ruin your u joints in no time at all. Yes, there is as seal for the carrier bearing but milky oil is not USUALLY the culprit. Water in the bellows will also destroy that carrier bearing so fix the boot quickly.

I've found that the screw gaskets are #1 cause for leaks. Replace them all and then pressure test without the oil in the unit. Could be drive shaft, or prop shaft that is grooved/worn. If it's been in the sand a lot, possibly just ruined seals. Pressure and vacuum testing will tell you all you need to know. Fixing the findings is another story. Good luck...

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Cobra drive has milky oil....Result from ripped bellows?

found that the screw gaskets are #1 cause for leaks.

Yeah me too.. Close second to the shaft seal from failed bellows.. Then those dang drain and fill screws..
PRESSURE TEST... then VAC TEST