7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable service

Don S

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Re: 7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable serv

Yes, you now have the new style bearing. I would use it long before I put the old one back in. Look how you pulled it. You beat on it from the inner race which mean the balls were beating on the edges of the race. Not a good thing for bearings.
If Volvo only sells the new style, then you don't have a choice. if you want the grease fitting, go aftermarket. Just not the cheapest you can find. If you go Sierra, they are fine, but watch out for the even cheaper of the cheap sellers.

Why you changed the bearing at all is a question, was it rough? If not, then it was fine.

A real problem with this new "Kit" thing all the DIYers are do fond of. They make money for the parts people only. They don't save money for the user.
Exhaust bellows and water hoses may fail, but it's slow and noticeable, and both are fairly easy to change. But not needed just because you want to have extra protection for your expensive ujoints, gimbal bearing, and drive. And changing a good gimbal bearing because you are changing the rubber parts????? Give me a break.
 

bear_69cuda

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Re: 7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable serv

Hey Don,

Thanks for the facts on the parts and new style bearing... I'm just frustrated, and don't want to mess this up...

I can clearly see the bellows is cracked in between all of the ridges, so it's definitely time for replacement...

I was told by the dealer who quoted me $1100 for this job, said I needed full bellows job and gimbal bearing replaced... I never bought a "kit" cause it doesn't exist. So being a rookie and nervous about working on my outdrive in the first place, I figured why not do it while everything is apart.. I did find it strange how my original bearing seems fine... I'm learning here boss, so please cut me some slack...:redface: It's not like I'm happy I blew cash, or just enjoy throwing parts that aren't necessary or broken...

Again I really appreciate everything you help me with...
 

Don S

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Re: 7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable serv

Trust me, my comments were not directed at you specifically, but all DIYers that get stuck in this replace everything for no reason because it's there. Especially the gimbal bearing. Those things last almost forever if greased and the bellows don't leak.
Rubber deteriorates, if it shows cracks, replace it, no biggie.

I also see things like "I was told by the dealer who quoted me $1100 for this job" and wonder what else was included in the quote but not told to us. Gear lube change? New ujoints too? If neither of those and just the rubber and the gimbal bearing, then they are crooks. Realistically, there isn't much more than 2 hours, 3 hours tops on an SX, or DPS drive. It's just not hard to do, nor time consuming, and parts don't make up that charge.
 

bear_69cuda

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Re: 7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable serv

Hey gang,

Good progress this weekend... I finished painting my outdrive... I started by sanding with 400 grit, all the areas that paint was chipping off or loose.. Then used red scotch bright pad to scuff all painted surfaces... Cleaned and wiped down with wax grease remover. Shot any bare aluminum with chromate primer.

Imperial%252021JAN2012%2520123.jpg


Then scuffed these areas again cleaned, then masked off areas not to be painted. I used aluminum foil to plug water intakes or any place I didn't want painted... Then shot with grey epoxy primer.

Imperial%252021JAN2012%2520124.jpg


I let the primer dry overnight, and again scuffed and cleaned surface for DPX grey top-coat.

Imperial%252021JAN2012%2520127.jpg


After letting the topcoat cure again overnight, I applied new decals installed anode, and the drive is ready for installation... I think it looks nice...

Imperial%252021JAN2012%2520128.jpg


Imperial%252021JAN2012%2520130.jpg


I installed the new gimbal bearing without a hitch! My install tool seated the bearing nice and flush with the gimbal seal. I added grease via zerk fitting, and made sure bearing was properly filled... I then attached the drive bellows to the gimbal housing assembly... Man that bellows adhesive is nasty stuff! (clamp bolt installed at the 1 o'clock position)

I then cleaned the pivot housing, installed new greased thrust washers, and friction washers.

I also was able to drill and tap the broken bolt holding the trim sending unit to the pivot housing. Tomorrow I'll install the pivot housing, trim sender, and hopefully the outdrive...
 

bnicov

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May 25, 2009
Messages
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Re: 7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable serv

Your drive looks great! Nice paint job. I'm currently in the process of sanding mine down and it's a bear beacause of the corrosion.
 

bear_69cuda

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Re: 7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable serv

Anyone have tips on getting driveshaft splines to line up in the coupler? I've been fighting this for an hour now, and just cannot get it in... I've rotated the prop shaft in gear to move the splines, but no luck... I'm getting my butt handed to me big time... It also doesn't help my driveway is not level...

I wish my extended swim platform wasn't there...
 

bear_69cuda

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Re: 7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable serv

Update...

I didn't get the drive installed. :( I had a friend over, and after 5 hours of adjusting the height of the bow and stern, the splines will not go into the coupler???? I can see the grease displaced by the tip of the driveshaft so I know it's getting there, I feel the angle of my outdrive stand and to boat are off... I cannot get any good leverage due to swim platform in the way... I've found sterdrive jacks for $900 - $1500 but I can't swing that currently, if ever... So being totally discouraged, and close to total failure, I've decided to step away, touch up all the scrapes and scratches on my freshly painted outdrive, and try a new approach. I will remove the swimplatform, back the boat into the garage, use my pulley system to lift and support the drive buy the lifting eye. This way all the weight is off, and the drive and move in X, Y and Z axis... My friend is gonna give me a hand with this over the weekend... If anyone has some pointers I could sure use them...
 

Pmccraney

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Re: 7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable serv

Hey Bear, I know very little on the drive-line side of things and what little I do know is Merc related... that being said, do you think your alignment is off, somehow... I know on a merc set-up, you use an alignment bar tool to make sure your alignment is good before you stick the drive shaft back into the coupler. Its much easier to do this with a little bar in your hand than the whole outdrive....

That's the only thing I can think of that might be of help... Or, it could be totally irrelevant... If it is, someone correct me so we can trouble-shoot elsewhere...
 

bear_69cuda

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Re: 7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable serv

My alignment bar slips in perfectly with no resistance....
 

Pmccraney

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Re: 7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable serv

okay, let's try this:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=439296

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=453611

Other troubleshooting options:

1. make sure your gimbal bearing is not misaligned...maybe pull it and put it back in... You may have moved the inner part of the bimgal bearing...

2. I know Merc set-up has to be in forward gear - same for VP?

3. Put the shaft in as far as it will go (if at all) - and while you are pushing on the drive, have someone else turn the flywheel pulley with a breaker bar. or, you can take the prop off and turn the prop shaft (which will move the drive shaft) while you are pressing it in. (edit: I re-read your first post and see where you already tried the prop shaft trick).

You are not the first person to have this problem...just sounds like you need to take a deep breath, check a few things and as we say in the south "hold your nose right."

Again, this is all WAG (wild *** guesses) from a total rookie; please don't let me screw up your sweet Cobalt with that 7.4 driveline... Just trying to help.
 

boatnut74

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Re: 7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable serv

I ran into the same problem with my Merc drive this spring. My alignment was perfect. Here's what I did ( I don't know if this is an acceptable way to do it but it worked for me with no problems) I slid the drive on as far as it would go, I had just enough room to get the nuts started that hold the drive on. I tightened them down a little at a time making sure the drive was moving in as well and after about a 1/4 inch I was able to push it the rest of the way on. Again I don't know if this way is acceptable but it worked for me. Good luck.
 

sethjon

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Jun 8, 2010
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Re: 7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable serv

This the part you need. The pump hooks to it.

3855932.jpg

Don, is this part the same one needed for the Cobra SX OD? If not, what is it? thanks.
 

bear_69cuda

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Re: 7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable serv

Well I finally have the drive on! :eek: After removing my extended swim platform to use an engine hoist, I figured being able to move the drive in multiple axes would aid the installation... Nope! I surrendered and took the boat to my VP service dept... When I got the call to pick up the boat, the mechanic said not to feel bad, it took the 1.5 hours to install the drive.... It would not go on for them either.... Apparently I must have nicked the coupler with my installation tool when installing the gimbal bearing. (not sure how cuz I followed instructions to the tee!) After cleaning the coupler and not finding any visible issues, he used a yoke he had sitting around and gently worked it into the coupler. Then after cleaning it yet again, it started so slide in normal... He then lubed everything back up, and the drive slid in like butter...

So my brutha Don, (VP Jedi Master)

I'm sure you're excited to lay this thread to rest... I hope your not totally frustrated with me or think I'm a total vegetable, and hopefully in the future will still help me with questions and issues I may encounter.... I do have a more than a few peanut shells tumbling around somewhere in my skull... :D My hopes are that this thread will still be helpful for someone, or make people realize the importance of experts like yourself... Not everything is easy and or cut and dry... Anyhow... Now I can enjoy my boat!
 

Don S

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Re: 7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable serv

Did you actually have one of those gimbal bearing/alignment bar kits that the bar goes into the coupler and gimbal bearing when you install it?
One of these?

Untitled1.jpg

If so, I always wondered if that would ding up the coupler.
 

bear_69cuda

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Re: 7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable serv

Yes Sir ! That exact one... Maybe I should let the e-bay seller know I had an issue.... I didn't feel any burr on the coupler at all? At least it's on, and I can enjoy my boat with it's freshly serviced drive...

Do you have any pics of the actual VP bar and gimbal install tools?

Peace out brutha Don!
 

Don S

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Re: 7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable serv

I never used a Volvo setup. Too expensive.
I always used the Mercruiser set, even Sierra sells them.
Stick with the alignment bar you have, just don't use it to install gimbal bearings


attachment.php
 

bear_69cuda

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Re: 7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable serv

Thanks Don!

Hopefully it will be years and years and years, before I need a new gimbal bearing! I must admist I'm kinda shell shocked, and nervous about dealing with drive removal and installation this fall! :(
 

Don S

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Re: 7.4 GiPEFS/DP-SM Winterizing, drive bellows, gimbal bearing, and shift cable serv

Well, the good news is, if you don't hammer on the coupler, it won't be a big deal.
If you use your cart, to remove and install the drive, it should be any problem. The boat design around the drive is a pain to work around, but do-able.


06OCT2011%252520005.jpg
 
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