Greasing the Universal on a '86 Merc 4.3L V6 205 HP Alpha One

[The 86]

I have successfully removed the upper and lower drive from the transom in a project to replace the impeller and grease the universal joint and getting an idea of what everything looks like.

Before greasing the universal and spline and inserting back into the transom, should I clean out the grease that is in the bellow? Should there be a grease in there from previous years of greasing?

I understand I will also be replacing the outdrive gasket and associated rings before reassembly as well. Anything else I should do or look for while working this project?

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[90stingray]

Re: Greasing the Universal on a '86 Merc 4.3L V6 205 HP Alpha One

Wipe out all old grease. Grease gimbal bearing and turn by hand and grease and turn... until fresh squeezes out. Might want to check the alignment with an alignment tool... or take it to a shop and have them verify alignment. <---- important! Dont just skip this step.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Greasing the Universal on a '86 Merc 4.3L V6 205 HP Alpha One

inspect all bellows - u-joint, shift, and exhaust

note gimbal ring play

check condition of engine coupler, check engine alignment and grease the coupler, not the shaft on the drive

check gimbal bearing and grease

inspect trim senders/wires/operation

pressure test the drive after replacing water pump assy

 

[cr2k]

Re: Greasing the Universal on a '86 Merc 4.3L V6 205 HP Alpha One

Make sure everything is in FORWARD gear, shift box and drive.

Yes clean out the grease as it is not good for the rubber. Is the bellows in good shape (less then 5 years old?) you also need an alignment tool to check your alignment or drag it to a shop for them to check (no outdrive on the boat). Use a good spline grease on the yoke splines. Turn the gimbal bearing by hand. ANYTHING other then silk smooth replace it. Any rust on it Replace It. Clean out the cavity behind the shift slide. Put some grease on the end of the slide to hold the arm there during reassembly.

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: Greasing the Universal on a '86 Merc 4.3L V6 205 HP Alpha One

check condition of engine coupler

How can you check the coupler without removing the engine?

 

[dubs283]

Re: Greasing the Universal on a '86 Merc 4.3L V6 205 HP Alpha One

How can you check the coupler without removing the engine?

use a flashlight, shine it through the gimbal bearing and have a look at the coupler splines

 

[The 86]

Re: Greasing the Universal on a '86 Merc 4.3L V6 205 HP Alpha One

Thanks guys! Everything went smoothly!