winter storage; alpha one

[brs517]

I know you're supposed to store your outdrive in the full "in" postition, (aka all the way down.) I keep my boat in the driveway, and it is impossible to put it all the way down without hitting the ground. Is it better to store it in the full "out" position (up), or should I put it as far down as possible without hitting the ground? <br /><br />From what I've learned, the reason for doing this is so that the bellows don't get fixed in one position and crack in the Spring when you move the outdrive up & down. I was just concerned that storing it half-"in" would put too much stress on the hydraulics.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: winter storage; alpha one

Put it down as far as you can, won't hurt a thing.<br />If that still bothers you, just take the drive off and leave it off this winter.

 

[ziggy]

Re: winter storage; alpha one

i can't see how that would put to much stress on the hydrolics(though i don't know this for a fact). the trim rams will move yer drive up and down at wot. to me that is stress. i have a mild case of the same thing you do. can't quit lower the drive all the way. i used some 1'X 2' blocks of concreat, a couple of inches thick. i drive up on them and now have the room to lower the drive all the way. nother thing about half up would be that the snow will fill up in the exhust exit in the center of the prop. then melt and refreeze perhaps. now ya got water in the bottom of yer drive. guess ya could put a cap over it or something to help prevent that though. i remove my prop, grease up the shaft and and put a plastic bag over it zip tied to the lower unit. it seems to work.

 

[Laddies]

Re: winter storage; alpha one

It don't damage the hydralics (except for the possiblity of rust on the rams) you leave the drive down to keep water out of the bullet and to prevent damage to the bellows

 

[brs517]

Re: winter storage; alpha one

OK, thanks. I've put it down as far as it will go without hitting the ground.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: winter storage; alpha one

The absolute BEST possible care would be to remove the drive and store it indoors so you can grease the ujoints,service the water pump and inspect the gimbal bearing.This also gives you a little something to do in the winter so you are not rushing to get it done the week you are launching the boat and we have all been there..?? havent we ??

 

[brs517]

Re: winter storage; alpha one

actually I would love to bring it inside for the winter, but I have never taken it off before and am kind of intimidated by the sound of it. I do have a manual and I think I'd be fine, but I'm just kind of unsure...

 

[Bondo]

Re: winter storage; alpha one

It's Only 8 Nuts,+ You'll have All 80lb.s in your Hands,............... <br /><br />It's Easy,..........<br /><br />And,..... Like Charlie Says,.........<br />It Needs Preventive Maintenance Anyway.........

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: winter storage; alpha one

Bondo,<br />Are you sure about the 80lbs ? Done so many I'd say about 150 lbs. (but you are closer than I am).<br /><br />The down (in) position used to be for the driveshaft bellows,so it wouldn't take a 'set' and crack in the spring when lowered and put to use.I feel this went by the wayside years ago,because the bellows are made of much better material.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Bondo]

Re: winter storage; alpha one

Originally posted by DHPMARINE:<br /> Bondo,<br />Are you sure about the 80lbs ? Done so many I'd say about 150 lbs. (but you are closer than I am).<br /><br />The down (in) position used to be for the driveshaft bellows,so it wouldn't take a 'set' and crack in the spring when lowered and put to use.I feel this went by the wayside years ago,because the bellows are made of much better material.<br /><br />DHP

As Close as I could get with a set of Bathroom Scales,............... That's Without the Prop...... <br /><br />I Agree on the Bellows thing,.......<br />It's more about the Filling of the Exhaust Cavity in the lower unit,.... Snow,+ Rain will fill it up,+ When it Freezes,...........<br />You're in Need of a New Lower Unit Case.........

 

[brs517]

Re: winter storage; alpha one

Yes, taking it off sounds OK, but putting it back on and making sure everything lines up sounds like a chore. Is that part difficult to do?

 

[Olds Eddie]

Re: winter storage; alpha one

I have same problem with clearence with driveway pavement. Since my drive was off recently and all maintainance done. I just lower it as far as possible and slosh some antifreeze in the prop shaft cavity. Never had a problem with freezng up.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: winter storage; alpha one

brs17 believe me ,if you can change a flat tire, you can remove an alpha drive.Putting it back on takes a little more time and patience and reference to the manual but is not too difficult.Charlie

 

[craze1cars]

Re: winter storage; alpha one

Not mentioned yet, but you can solve a few storage problems at once....<br /><br />1. Put jackstands under your axle(s) to take the stress off springs and prevent flat spots on your tires.<br /><br />2. When you do so, make sure the trailer is up high enough so your drive will now go all the way down.<br /><br />3. With the whole rig raised, you've added another measure theft deterrent for the entire rig, although the drive itself is still vulnerable unless you chain/cable it with a lock to the trailer, or just install an appropriate permanant lock.<br /><br />4. You have all winter long to find a nice warm day to inspect and/or repack your wheel bearings while they're hovering there.

 

[LANCLJ]

Re: winter storage; alpha one

Not trying to be insulting, but if you are asking how to remove the drive, I doubt you will be trying (or able) to service the drive yourself.<br /><br /> If so , then why not just have whoever is servicing it remove it, perform the work, and re-install it either now when your ready to go back in the water. It's usually all part of their price.

 

[natwales]

Re: winter storage; alpha one

Easy to remove drive. If you are doing it yourself consider removing the lower unit first, and then the upper unit from the boat, but be sure to drain gear oil first. You will have to separate them anyway to replace you water pump impeller. It's all up on mercStuff.com which is an excellent resource.