90 Cobra Stern Drive install

[renosguy]

I've removed my stern drive on my 1990 4.3L OMC Cobra. I greased the u-joints etc, and replaced a damaged lower unit. When it comes to reinstalling I can't seem to get the U-Joint Knuckle through the rubber gasket within the gimble ring. Any tricks for this? I can see it's a really tight fit, but can't manage to get the U-Joint through. Grease just isn't doing the trick...

Cheers.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 90 Cobra Stern Drive install

Make sure you don't have more than just a light coating of grease on the drive shaft splines..too much and it won't slide into the coupler.
Also an extra set of hands to hold the drive shaft straight and be able to turn it really helps.
The bellows should not be that tight of a tolerance to keep the drive from going on.

 

[MRS]

Re: 90 Cobra Stern Drive install

Take a piece of wood and wedge it in the pivot housing to keep it stright and make sure the u-joint collar is stright in the bellows then push.

 

[danond]

Re: 90 Cobra Stern Drive install

Unless you have a drive cradle, get help. This is done in 10 seconds with someone holding the driveshaft steady.

 

[renosguy]

Re: 90 Cobra Stern Drive install

Thanks guys. I thought I might be missing something, but it's simply a tight fit that needs some gentle pressure with it lined up just right.