OMC cobra outdrive - how to know how much grease ?

[donberry]

I have a OMC 4.3l with the cobra outdrive. Question on greasing the u-joints using the grease fitting.
How do I know how much grease is in there ? I would guess it is possible to add too much grease, but how would I know ? I have the service manual and could not find anything on this unless the outdrive was off the boat.
I started shooting some in there, but stopped as I was not sure when it was enough or too much.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks

 

[RIDEPATE]

Re: OMC cobra outdrive - how to know how much grease ?

I shoot until I see the old-grease comming out. Not really possible to add "Too-Much" IMO.

 

[donberry]

Re: OMC cobra outdrive - how to know how much grease ?

ok, showing my ignorance here - see it coming out of where ? I figured the grease was going into the u-joint bellows, apparently it isn't ? What exactly am I greasing then ?
Sorry so ignorant on this. My first boat obviously. I am not too smart as I should have checked out where the grease tube led to when I had the outdrive off. I just figured it was for lubing the u-joints, which is why i thought it was possible to use too much as it would be filling up the bellows.

 

[Lou C]

Re: OMC cobra outdrive - how to know how much grease ?

Dude you are greasing the gimble bearing, if you are using the grease fitting on the side of the transom mount...
You can't grease it too much, don't worry, but to grease the ujoints, you have to remove the drive, see here are mine in this pic....
and when doing the gimble, I like to have the drive off so I can turn the gimble while pumping grease in, that gets it all through the rollers...but the same can be done by greasing it while running the engine on the water hose...
BTW, once a year you should be pulling the drive, to grease the gimble, u joints AND the driveshaft splines, failure to do this, eventually will result in a drive that may NOT come off (driveshaft rusted into coupler). Plus also you need to check the bellows to make sure there is no water leaking in which will ruin both the gimble, u joints and cause the drive shaft to rust into the coupler...welcome to the world of high maintenance I/Os.....

the gimble bearing, what you probably greased, is part # 74 in this link....

http://www.dougrussell.com/partscat...8,499,500,501,502,503,504,505,506,509,507,508


the ujoints are part #36 in this link:

http://www.dougrussell.com/partscat...8,499,500,501,502,503,504,505,506,509,507,508

 

[RIDEPATE]

Re: OMC cobra outdrive - how to know how much grease ?

Good explanation Lou. I'm too quick to think everyone has done it before.

 

[donberry]

Re: OMC cobra outdrive - how to know how much grease ?

ah, okay. Told you I was stupid. Obviously my 1st boat. I was thinking the grease tube went to the u-joints to give you a way to grease those without pulling the drive. Thanks, I do appreciate it.
Actually, I did just pull the outdrive and the engine. Had a water leak and wanted to fix the motor mounts etc. I did grease up the u-joints etc when putting it all back together. As I thought the tube went to the u-joint, as I forgot to check that out when I had it apart, I just wanted to throw some grease in there to "fill the tube".
On the bright side, is all back together, got all of the linkage adjustments done to where she shifts with one finger and engine is running great. Just waiting to get new exhaust hose bellows as the old ones were getting old and dried up.
Should be in the water for her maiden voyage by the weekend.
Thanks