Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 2 U Joint Replacement

[Dave Desilets]

Can I use a Mercruiser Cross Bearing 805536A2 in place of a 75832T1 Cross Bearing?
This is for a 4.3LX 1994 443L100GS Drive the Mercruiser Serial # is OF 150905
I would like to use the 805536A2 as it is a Permalube vs. the 75832T1 which needs to
be greased. I am in the process of changing the Gimbal Bearing and got the Permalube
version, reasoning is I don't put many hours on the boat now averaging about 25 hrs a season
and to pull the drive every year is becoming a pain. Used to put on about 100 hrs a year.
It's time to change the bearings now so would like to go Permalube but I can't find anything that tells me if these bearings are interchangeable.

 

[achris]

Can I use a Mercruiser Cross Bearing 805536A2 in place of a 75832T1 Cross Bearing?

Yes. The centre socket and gear end yoke are the same between the earlier and later, and the coupler yoke is only different for the extra o-ring groove. So even though the part doesn't supersede up, it will fit.

This is for a 4.3LX 1994 443L100GS Drive the Mercruiser Serial # is 0F150905. I would like to use the 805536A2 as it is a Permalube vs. the 75832T1 which needs to be greased. I am in the process of changing the Gimbal Bearing and got the Permalube version, reasoning is I don't put many hours on the boat now averaging about 25 hrs a season and to pull the drive every year is becoming a pain.

Even with Permalube bearing and unis, you should still be pulling the drive at the end of each seasons anyway. Pulling the drive is for more than just greasing things. You need to be doing a visual inspection INSIDE the bellows each year for signs of water or gear oil. Leaving 'simple to fix' problems until they become catastrophic failures is the quickest way to burn money.

Chris......

Used to put on about 100 hrs a year. It's time to change the bearings now so would like to go Permalube but I can't find anything that tells me if these bearings are interchangeable.

Both gimbal bearing and unis are plug and pray...

 

[Dave Desilets]

Thanks for the replies! While I was waiting, I kept looking for some input on these U Joints, and as they say, "the plot begins to thicken" One fellow on this site said that these Permalube bearings need to be greased prior to being installed, his comment was that you'd be surprised at how much more grease they will take. Called a marine mechanic that I know and ran the question by him. He 100% agreed with all of your comments, and in his opinion, he has seen just as many failed Permalube bearings as greasable bearings, and that includes Gimbal bearings as well as U Joints. He said that it is mandatory to remove the drive at the end of each season and check to see if there are any water leaks inside. Check the Gimbal bearing alignment, grease the U Joints, and the splines. If you use the Permalube bearings put in some Zerk fittings when installing and grease them up every time the drive is pulled, they only need a small shot and check to see if there is some grease coming out from of all 4 caps and wipe them down. It's called preventative maintenance and needs to be done if not you'll suffer the consequences. Needless to say, whether I like it or not, the drive has to be pulled and inspected at the end of each season as well as an oil change and everything else that needs to be done prior to tucking it away for the winter.