Mercruiser U-joint Replacment

[system-f]

I have searched the forums, but guess I am putting in the wrong keywords before because I could have sworn I read this before.

Is it possible to replace the U-joints without removing the retaining ring and input gear assembly?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Mercruiser U-joint Replacment

Only by breaking off the ears for clearance, so the answer is no.

 

[system-f]

Re: Mercruiser U-joint Replacment

I thought I read where Don had said you could grind down two ears to get clearance. I guess it is not a big deal to remove the retainer.......if you have the tool.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Mercruiser U-joint Replacment

I seriously doubt that Don`s would give that kind of advice.Obtain the proper tool, you`ll be better off in the long run.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Mercruiser U-joint Replacment

couple of years ago on here< i was told that to do so I would need to remove part of one of one or two of the teeth. I did so with a dremel tool so a joint cap would clear throug hthe hole. It worked fine and wasn't a problem at all. I believe that Bond-O as well as several others told me that this was common practice. It's a whole lot better than worring about the upper drive gear assembly...

 

[ziggy]

Re: Mercruiser U-joint Replacment

Obtain the proper tool, you`ll be better off in the long run.

when i did mine. that's where i ended up at. the proper tools..

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser U-joint Replacment

I did say it was possible, but you do take a risk of damaging the ring. All you do is grind the tips of the retainer off so the bearing cap will just clear. (Red spots in picture).
What you must do is leave a portion of the retainer there (blue line) that will hold the large rubber quad ring in place.
Grind too much off, and the rubber ring will squeeze toward the inside and you will get water in the bellows.

PS: I DO NOT do it that way. Previous boss liked to do it that way, I tried it one time years ago and broke the retainer anyway when I hit it on the opposite side.

 

[system-f]

Re: Mercruiser U-joint Replacment

Thanks for the responses, guys.

Hmmm $17 tool (or build my own) or the possiblity of trashing the retainer....


I guess the problem I am having with taking the retainer off is that 200lbs of torque seems CRAZY on anything aluminum. The last thing I want to do is finish my summer off by cracking open my uper housing. The book says 200lbs of torque so that's what it will get, but UGH that just seems like case cracking torque.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Mercruiser U-joint Replacment

yep, 200 ft. lbs... that's what it wants.. not really that bad to do when ya fig. in the length of the retainer wrench...