replacing omc cobra outdrive

[HSBarker81]

I removed my outdrive to retrieve my y-pipe flaps...now i'm trying to put it back on and i can get it within a half of an inch of going on, but its stuck...i thought maybe it was the splines not lining up, but it seems that it wouldn't go in so far were that the case...anyone have any ideas for me before i take it to the shop?<br /><br />thanks,<br />harley

 

[Don S]

Re: replacing omc cobra outdrive

Did you check the alignment? Did you put new orings on the shaft, and lube them up?

 

[redblur]

Re: replacing omc cobra outdrive

I just had mine on and off a few of times (not all the way bolted on with gasket but at least set on there all the way) because after it was rebuilt the shift linkage was out of whack. So I got a little practice.<br /><br />On mine it took firm pressure at the right points, finess at others, and finally a good kick for that last 1/2"<br /><br />The first time I did it I got to that last point and for the life of me I could't get it. I was honestly so ticked off that I leaned back on the wall called it a four letter word and kicked right on the cover over the water pump. Low and behold it popped right on, or at least enough to get the top to bolts started then I could push down a little bit and the bottom slipped in.<br /><br />This was after making sure it was aligned, with new o-rings that we properly oiled, and the "kick" wasn't hard enough to really break anything but it was pretty firm.<br /><br />On later tries I found that it worked every time. I also found out that while the cursing may help, it wasn't required ;-)

 

[HSBarker81]

Re: replacing omc cobra outdrive

hahaha...nice. Anyways, I dunno how I'd really tell if the alignment was correct. I did everything the local boat place told me to do...the o-rings are replaced. I had a lot of grease on them, but the guys there told me that it could be air lock causing the problem...so we whiped them down a bit and still had no luck. It is literally on to the point that the studs stick into the holes, just not out the back side for me to put the bolts on. I've done the thing with turning the drive shaft little bits here and there with a screw driver...and i feel like before i did that, it was getting stuck with the splines out of line. They may still be, but for me to get it that close in, the only other thing we could figure was the o-ring not going through the gimbal bearing. Maybe it just needs a good jolt to get in there...my concern then would be damaging that o-ring somehow. If I don't get it tomorrow, i'm going to pay them an hour of labor to put it on for me. I was hoping maybe you all knew something that I didn't, but it sounds to me like its just a pain... <br /><br />I also considering the fact that with the two u-joints and the fact that the slightest misdirection of that shaft could cause this...as that would make sense that the splines may line up enough to slide in some, but because of the offset angle of entry, that could be stopping it from going in. <br /><br />Thanks once again for all of your help <br /><br />-harley

 

[lakelivin]

Re: replacing omc cobra outdrive

For my OMC Cobra, the service manual says to oil the o-rings instead of greasing them, I assume to help them slide in without the risk of air lock. <br /><br />If it's the o-rings sticking, I bet this would work. Pick up some AstroGlide, a 'personal lubricant' available at your pharmacy or favorite department store. Some of the most slippery stuff I've seen. It's water & glycerin based so it won't leave much residual 'slipperiness' after it dries. And if it won't damage thin latex (condoms), I'm sure it won't damage rubber or other plastics either. Just explain to the wife or girlfriend why you bought it BEFORE she discovers it on her own .<br /><br />I've used it on the copper water supply tube and the plastic guide/ rubber seal it goes through to put the upper & lower halves of my OMC outdrive back together and it's amazing how much easier they slide together as compared to the time I used outdrive oil to lubricate the two. <br /><br />As a matter of fact, first time I tried it, the top slid on so easily I pulled it back off, thinking the copper tube must have slid off rather than into the guide/ seal. Got someone to watch as I did it again & sure enough, everything was in the correct place without having to 'muscle' the last 1/2" or so of the two halves together.

 

[HSBarker81]

Re: replacing omc cobra outdrive

word...a slight kick and it went right in...and when i say slight i mean i barely tapped it...amazingggggggggggggggggg<br /><br />thanks again for the help...next time i'll try the astro-glide lol