OMC sterndrive lubrication question

[jhorus]

I bought a 1990 VIP Victory 1960 with OMC stern drive late last summer. I'm in the process of getting it ready for the summer, and putting grease in the only grease zerk I see. It's on the starboard side, close to the hull.

The shop manual suggests there's more greasing to be done inside the drive? (2 U joints?) I am not that mechanically inclined, and was hoping not to have to take anything off. Does the starboard zerk grease those U joints, too, or do I really have to take the stern drive off? (or maybe just the cover I'm hoping?)

Btw, I ran through a whole tube of grease, and haven't yet heard the distinctive "crackling" you get when old grease is forced out. Does the zerk connect to something that holds that much grease and it just hasn't been refilled in a while? Where is the spot where it'll be forced out?

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: OMC sterndrive lubrication question

No, you have to remove the drive to grease the u-joints, the fitting you describe just greases the gimbal bearing. And you will want to remove it anyway to clean out the whole tube of grease you pumped into the bellows as the gimbal bearing is not a sealed unit! 'nutcase

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: OMC sterndrive lubrication question

Boy...that should be a mess...
Nutcase is correct....pull the drive and grease the u-joints..
If the bellows have not been replaced in the last 2 to 3 years go ahead and replace them while you have it apart.

Here is a free manual for the Cobra,
http://www.mediafire.com/?mzdzzqjmdzd

Transom service kit,
http://www.ebasicpower.com/pc/GLM21962/OMCTSK/Transom Service Kit, OMC Cobra.html

 

[Lou C]

Re: OMC sterndrive lubrication question

http://support.crowleymarine.com/entries/113074-omc-cobra-complete-outdrive-removal
http://support.crowleymarine.com/entries/114108-omc-cobra-complete-outdrive-installation
http://support.crowleymarine.com/entries/113068-omc-cobra-outdrive-lubricant-filling

Here are some relevant links with factory procedures for maintaining the Cobra....the only thing you can do without taking off the drive is to grease the gimble bearing...it's very important esp if you don't know the maintenance history of the boat to have the sterndrive removed...bellows checked for water...gimble checked for smooth operation and greased...ujoints checked for too much play and greased...driveshaft splines greased...driveshaft seal in the upper unit checked for leaks... engine alignment checked....these are things that should be done yearly in my opinion....Sterndrives are high maintenance machines and if you neglect them it will cost you...

I do this...winterization....fluid change...in the fall...then in the spring...install a new impeller in the drive...grease gimble...ujoints...shaft splines...check alignment.....install drive...run engine...check all fluids again...do a tune up...then go boating....

 

[MRS]

Re: OMC sterndrive lubrication question

What Lou C put is excellent info. and crowley has alot of omc stuff that others do not. I needed pivot housing bolts and inserts (heli-coils) they had them and saved my a** and my vacation got it going and life and wife were happy.

Mine omc 190 candia 4.3 (1986)

 

[jhorus]

Re: OMC sterndrive lubrication question

Thanks for the replies

Now y'all got me worried about that extra grease. Where is it likely sitting right now, and how long can it be there before doing "harm" of some sort? I wasn't planning on taking my boat to the shop for a while, and I don't think I have the tools/time/patience to take off the stern drive myself.

How would it normally get cleaned out if I had done it correctly, and there was just a little bit of excess grease? Does it get expelled during normal running?