Primary Shaft & Bearings Lubrication?

[rapa123]

Hi, I have a 2006 FourWinns deckboat with a Volvo Penta 5.7 GXI-GF DP-S stern drive. I usually do all of my own maintenance, but I noticed, of course, that in order to lubricate the primary shaft & bearings of my engine, the drive unit needs to be removed. According to Volvo Pentas operator's manual, this needs to be done on a yearly basis. My question is; Is this a major operation? If not, is there a good source that illustrate's how to do this?
Your help would be most appreciated. Thanks, Ray

 

[njlarry]

Re: Primary Shaft & Bearings Lubrication?

I do not remove my SX drive every year. I do have the
bellows and gimbel etc replaced every 3-4 years in fresh water use.
I shoot 7-8 pumps of grease into the gimbel zerk fitting
every fall. This is not what the factory recommends but
a '95 is long out of warranty. Most volvo owners do not
pull the drives annually. Labor costs more than the parts
imho.
You'll get more knowlegeble replies in the I/O section.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Primary Shaft & Bearings Lubrication?

Mercruiser, Volvo and OMC I/O or Inboard Engine Problems

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Primary Shaft & Bearings Lubrication?

once every 100 hours or so or at least annually that drive needs to come off and the gimbal bearing checked,shaft alignment checked, shaft splines greased and the orings on the shaft replaced.
takes an hour or so unless the engine is out of alignment.
takes a bit of grease and 3 orings.
as long as the gimbal bearing doesnt get wet and the correct lubricant is used they tend to last a long long time.
luckily for those that detest maint there is just enough room between the copler and the TSK to get a sawzall blade to fit so I can cut the drive shaft

 

[Don S]

Re: Primary Shaft & Bearings Lubrication?

As rodbolt mentions, every 100 hrs or once a year. ESPECIALLY to grease the splines. If the splines are dry, they wear out the coupler, and the only way to replace the coupler is to pull the engine. So yea, you don't HAVE to pull the drive every year, but you may get to pull your engine more often.

Your choice.

 

[rapa123]

Re: Primary Shaft & Bearings Lubrication?

Hi, I'm unable to find a shop/service manual for my stern drive. I can't seem to find one new enough for my 2006. I currently have a Volvo Penta shop manual on disc (7743614), but it doesn't cover the stern drive. Anyone know where I could get one? Thanks, Ray

 

[Don S]

Re: Primary Shaft & Bearings Lubrication?

Just thought of something, do you have a DP-S, or a DPS-A?
2006 was the first year for the DPS-A drives, and they are different from the older DP-S drives, and have a different manual.

 

[rapa123]

Re: Primary Shaft & Bearings Lubrication?

Hi Don, Yes it's a DP-S drive. The only manuals I see out there is up to 2004. There are some that cover many years in one book, but not to date. Also, those manuals are usually pretty vague due to covering too many different ones in one manual. Thanks, Ray

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Primary Shaft & Bearings Lubrication?

they are rather vague.
always have been.
ya should have seen the 20 years ago
we cant get most the late style manuals and I work at a volvo dealership.
and the volvo partner network software is so messed up it should be scrapped.

 

[rapa123]

Re: Primary Shaft & Bearings Lubrication?

Hi Rodbolt, It's crazy that it takes 2 to 4 years to put out a service manual. I feel for you guys not having up to date information. I realize many things are crossover, but there is also a lot of new inovation that people have to guess at. I guess I'll have to wait out in the wings until one comes along. Thanks for the help, Ray

 

[Don S]

Re: Primary Shaft & Bearings Lubrication?

There isn't any problem getting the manual you need, just visit your local VP dealer and have them order one for you. PN 7743008

 

[Lou C]

Re: Primary Shaft & Bearings Lubrication?

I would not want to let it go more than a year, because as was noted, if the lube in the driveshaft splines drys out you can wear out the coupler and cost yourself a whole pile o' money. Plus if there's a leak in the bellows, or the seal around the driveshaft starts leaking gear oil, at least that way you will know about it and get it fixed in the off season, instead of having a breakdown right in the middle of the season. These things are heavy, so if you have any tendency to a bad back, and you're going to do this yourself, either get a helper, or build one of these:

 

[rapa123]

Re: Primary Shaft & Bearings Lubrication?

Hi,
Hat's of to both Don & Lou! Don thanks for the heads up on the Service Manual. I'm going to order one today. I am also going to have this done this year at my local dealer. Hopefully I can watch as he performs the work.
Lou, awesome pic's! I will definatelty make a table/cart like yours. I have ton's of building experiance, therefore it wont be a problem. You done a great job! What's the dimensions of yours? Thanks again to both of you, Ray
Have a great, safe upcoming summer!