DonS - Question on your U-Joint recommendation

[John_S]

Don,<br /><br />I was rereading your winterization steps, over at Bayliner forums. Very good info and refresher, even though I am getting ready for the de-winterizing process. It did generate some questions, that I couldn't answer via the Merc manuals. (sorry, I need to find my userid and password for that site!)<br /><br />

6. Check the gimbal bearing. Does it turn smooth? if not replace it. Check the u-joints do they feel smooth also? Any catches indicates they are worn and should be replaced. If ok, grease the zirks or pull the plugs (if equipped) and lube them. <br />

My U-joints are smooth, but when I looked up the lube procedure in the Merc manual, it only discusses a U-joint tear down and lube. I assume that it is because I have an Alpha 1, GenII, with permalube bearings. Do those plugs just pull out? Are there threads in the U-joint, once plug is removed, that some size zirk can be installed? or is there another process to lube them? If it means any drilling or tapping, would require a tear down. I would like to lube them, but not have to take them all apart.

 

[Bondo]

Re: DonS - Question on your U-Joint recommendation

If the plug is Hex, like a Nut,.... It just Screws Out.....<br />Otherwise,.. Maybe it just Pops out,.. I've never Seen 1 that wasn't Screwed in,... <br />But there's Alot of Things I haven't run into Yet.......<br /><br />The Zert needs to be 1 of the Small 1s,.. 1/4-28 threads......<br /><br />Screw it in,+ Grease as Usual,...... I'd Leave it there when Done.............

 

[John_S]

Re: DonS - Question on your U-Joint recommendation

Bondo,<br /><br />They are small, rounded plugs. They only stick out about one quarter the height of a normal zerk. Not much to grab on to, and once I get them out, not sure I can get the jeanie back in the bottle. ie, I'm sure that they may be damaged enough, to not be used. It would be nice to know there are threads before I pop the cork.

 

[Bondo]

Re: DonS - Question on your U-Joint recommendation

I guess you'd better wait for Don,........<br /><br />That's ground I've not tread on,........ Yet....<br /><br />I'd like to believe that the threads Have been Cut,... But I don't Know...<br /><br />The 1s I've Seen,.... Looked like a Hex nut, with rounded corners....They just screwed out....

 

[akaSharkey]

Re: DonS - Question on your U-Joint recommendation

They sound the same as mine. I was wondering the same thing myself.

 

[tommays]

Re: DonS - Question on your U-Joint recommendation

I did a set of permalube joints ? over the winter and they were taped as Bondo says <br /><br /><br />We put in 90 deg fittings to be easy to grease in the future<br /><br />tommays

 

[Don S]

Re: DonS - Question on your U-Joint recommendation

You can pop that plug out and check for threads, but it may not take grease when you pump it in. They have plastic cones in the end of the cross piece that holds the cross centered, but it also plugs the end where the grease comes out. I really don't remember seeing any path for grease to get to the bearings. I'll have to look at one Monday (IF I remember..... TGIF)

 

[John_S]

Re: DonS - Question on your U-Joint recommendation

Sharky: thats what mine look like. The one toward the input shaft sticks out about that much. The one toward the drive side is almost flush with the joint. <br /><br />I'll wait for some more input from Don. It might be better to wait till I feel roughness in the joint, and replace it with ones that have grease zerks.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: DonS - Question on your U-Joint recommendation

best I recall from the last set of "permalube" joints I did you assemble it with a greasefitting, lube it then remove the grease fitting and install the plug and tighten it until the hex head snaps off.<br /> I usually leave the grease nipple installed.<br /> most lifetime lubed bearings I have seen are lubed for the life of the bearing not the owner.<br /> when the life is up the bearing dies.