Seal by ujoints leaking

[crazy charlie]

I pulled one of my drives for winterizing and storage and found the seal by the ujoints has been leaking.I usually do a lot of my own maintenance like water pump,gear oil change etc.Never done a seal,I usually try to keep friendly with my mechanic by giving him little jobs like this when they come up.I think he charged me 165$ for another drive that needed the same seal done.Should I let him do it or tackle it myself??I dont own any "specialty tools" if they are needed.Charlie

 

[Laddies]

Re: Seal by ujoints leaking

Its not a hard job but you would need a spanner for the top retainer nut if you do the job inspect the yoke for wear or pitting so you git a good seal

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Seal by ujoints leaking

Charlie, I had the same problem with my Alpha I Gen I drive. The oil seal in the upper gearcase(behind the U-joint)wears a groove in the yoke, causing the seal to tear and leak lube into the bellows. It was $35 for the oil seal and the Oring and $70 for the yoke. I had planned to replace the u-joints anyway, so the oil seal was sorta "on my way".<br /><br />I used my "Stilson" wrench (a strap wrench with a chain) to unscrew the bearing retainer, replaced the yoke, while replacing the U-joints, installed the new seal and o-ring, and used the stilson wrench to reinstall the bearing retainer. I guessed at the torque. That was last fall. It has been fine.

 

[Don S]

Re: Seal by ujoints leaking

What drives do you have? Merc? Volvo? Omc perhaps?

 

[Don S]

Re: Seal by ujoints leaking

The only special tools you need is an Upper Retainer Wrench. (Get wrench here) and a dial type in.lbs. torque wrench for setting bearing preload and you can do it yourself. Then follow the steps in the service manual and you're set to go.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Seal by ujoints leaking

Alpha one drives.The mechanic did the other drive for me a few years ago and did it as he and I were having a conversation.So with his tools and know how made it look easy.I guess it would be considered a cheap repair compared to most so I may just let him do it and I will watch a little closer this time.Charlie

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Seal by ujoints leaking

I got my parts here .....and used a 1/2" aluminium bar to remove the retaining nut. Seemed fine all season......didn't leak a drop and the universals are nice and smooth.

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Seal by ujoints leaking

If the parts are $100 +... let the guy do it.<br />Do you really want to risk a problem to save $65?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Seal by ujoints leaking

It really has nothing to do with money.I wouldnt mind learning how to do it.I will take a look in the manual before I invest in the wrench.Thanks guys!! Charlie