My Merc Upper Swivel Shaft/Seal Saga

[Brentathon]

Well, I successfully dis-assembled everything, and replaced both bushings (large & small) and the seal for my Upper Swivel Shaft on my Alpha Gen I.
I will then assemble everything, using my new SS (J&R) swivel shaft. I did this through the access holes drilled into the gimbal housing.

Question: Does/Did anyone still use grease on the Swivel Shaft where it rides in these two bushings, OR is that detrimental to the coating ("permalube"?) that's on the I.D. of the bushings? Being that the condition of the original bushings were REALLY bad (i.e. very worn), I would like to prolong the life of these new ones, as much as possible. I'm skeptical on this anti-friction coating, on them......

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: My Merc Upper Swivel Shaft/Seal Saga

If it`s not already greaseable, install a grease fitting

 

[Bondo]

Re: My Merc Upper Swivel Shaft/Seal Saga

Ayuh,.... I'm fortunate,... My barges are old enough to have grease fittin' about Everywhere....

("permalube"?) is a misnomer,....
It's not Permanently Lubed,... It just don't wear out quite as quickly...

 

[Brentathon]

Re: My Merc Upper Swivel Shaft/Seal Saga

I suppose you could install a grease fitting, but you would likely need two....one for the upper bushing, and one for the lower one......and you would need to drill a hole through the bushing, too, so the grease could find its way to the gap between the bushing and shaft. Also, since they're bushings and not bearings, there's not much room for the grease to be held anywhere, like there is with roller & ball bearings.
Has anyone actually installed grease fittings for these bushings?
I opted to go with the "stock" arrangement, and hopefully it will last longer than I'll own the boat.......hopefully.
The seal is what I'm mainly worried about......it's just slightly above waterline when nobody's on the boat, and always below with 1 or more people aboard.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: My Merc Upper Swivel Shaft/Seal Saga

I suppose you could install a grease fitting....

As I recall, and sometimes I don't recall all that well. My upper swivel shaft was (is) the older style with roller bearings rather than bushings. The center of the swivel shaft itself was hollow, and when you pumped grease into the fitting on the top of the housing it went in and down through the center of the shaft and out small holes in shaft bearing surfaces, lubing the bearings from the inside. I don't think you can do that with the new swivel shaft that you have. To get the grease where you need it, you would have to drill through the bushing and add a grease fitting. I don't think that would be a very good idea. Probably best to leave it as it is.. Good luck.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: My Merc Upper Swivel Shaft/Seal Saga

I have installed about a dozen. easy to do. small pilot hole thru the housing and bushing. using the correct size drill to tap the threads for the zerc fitting,drill the housing to the proper depth and tap. install grease fitting.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: My Merc Upper Swivel Shaft/Seal Saga

I stand corrected:redface: Can you do it after the shaft is installed, just wondering?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: My Merc Upper Swivel Shaft/Seal Saga

Yes, very carefully.
drill the small hole watching the chips, aluminum,then brass, knowing how thin the brass is carefully touch the steel shaft being carefull to not break the bit

 

[Brentathon]

Re: My Merc Upper Swivel Shaft/Seal Saga

Interesting, Bt Doctor........but I think I'm going to pass on installing the grease fitting(s).....and I'll hope that my new 17-4 PH swivel shaft will prolong the seal life by not corroding as much/fast as the stock steel.
But, you may have answered my original question; I guess I could (or should) grease-up the swivel shaft before installation, as the grease probably won't have a detrimental effect on the bushings?
I'll try to remeber to post pics of my old parts....you'll probably find them interesting.

And, by the way.......there doesn't appear to be any "brass"........they're stainless steel bushings with a "permalube"-type coating on the I.D.'s.

 

[Brentathon]

Re: My Merc Upper Swivel Shaft/Seal Saga

FYI........here's a pic of the new parts......"stock" bushings and seal with J&R stainless steel swivel shaft.