OMC Cobra - Oil in Universal Joint Bellow

[lake112]

I am in the process of lubricating the universal joints on my 1994 OMC Cobra stern drive and noticed oil sitting in the universal joint bellow. It looks like motor oil (maybe gearcase oil). It is about 2 fluid oz worth of oil. The oil is not milky (no water). The seal around the universal joint shaft and the stearn drive looks ok (cannot find any trace of oil).

Any ideas where this is coming from?

Additionally when lubricating the gimbal bearing, grease would only come out of one section of the bearing. Not around the bearing as I have seen in the past. The bearing feels ok. Not completly smooth but not bad.

Is this an issue?

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC Cobra - Oil in Universal Joint Bellow

It's gear lube. Usually a drive will leak a little into the bellows if it has been overfilled . DO NOT overfill.
There needs to be an air gap in the top of the drive for oil expansion.

OR, the seal is beginning to fail, or a groove is worn in the seal surface area of the yoke.