Alpha One U joint replacement.......Silly question........

[Fiat4Fun]

OK, I have a 1986 Chris Craft with a Alpha One.

I had a shop do my gimbal bearing a few weeks ago, which I thought was reasonable at $320
It got rid of a vibration and noise, but I still hear a bit of a "rumble" when I turn left and right.
I know the the U joints have never been changed. So I am thinking I should change them
I see how to pull of the stern drive, and the u joint shaft comes out. My question, how do I remove
the shaft from the upper unit, so I can take the shaft down to the local machine shop and have new
joints put in? Any good link to show to remove the shaft?

I assume that the shop that did the gimbal did a quick check on the u joints, but I am betting that
they did not really inspect them that well, since they are busy and wanted to get on to the next project.
The shop did give me the old gimbal bearing, and it "felt" bad........ just old........

My other thought was to purchase a new upper unit, since I did get a "new" Sierra lower unit a few years ago.
I keep thinking of engines on cars,...... You do the head and it blows out the rings...........

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Bob

 

[fmalott]

Re: Alpha One U joint replacement.......Silly question........

i did the ujoints with shaft still attached to the upper unit it's just like changing ujoints in a car

 

[xltier]

Re: Alpha One U joint replacement.......Silly question........

you have to take out the big slotted nut at the ujoint end and pull the shaft and drive gear out.there r shims in there also that have to go back exact as they were.there is a oring and seal in there also.you really should be mechanically inclined to do that.plus a special tool for the nut.as said u can do them with the shaft installed.(recommended)

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Re: Alpha One U joint replacement.......Silly question........

So, these u joints come off without taking the entire shaft? I am so use to pounding on automotive ujoints, that I thought taking the entire shaft off would be the way to go. I also see I can buy a new shaft with the yokes and the u joints together. Sounds like I don't need to remove the shaft to yank the u joints,just use a small u joint tool?
Any other advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Alpha One U joint replacement.......Silly question........

No need to replace a upper unit when it an't brooke.... Can if ya want too.

No need to pull the drive shaft out either... Read up on-it, go to sterndrives.com they have many how too's

Good luck!

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Re: Alpha One U joint replacement.......Silly question........

Thanks for the reply. I love the how too's at strendrive.com, and got a ton of info on gimbal bearings, but I did not see anything on u joints. If anyone has a good link out there on doing driveshaft u joints, please let me know......

The write up on the upper unit was well done, and I think if I need a new upper drive, I would just get a reman unit. But I think I am ok since the current one seems fine, well lubed and the shop looked at the upper gears and didn't see any issues

Thanks again

 

[fmalott]

Re: Alpha One U joint replacement.......Silly question........

Thanks for the reply. I love the how too's at strendrive.com, and got a ton of info on gimbal bearings, but I did not see anything on u joints. If anyone has a good link out there on doing driveshaft u joints, please let me know......

The write up on the upper unit was well done, and I think if I need a new upper drive, I would just get a reman unit. But I think I am ok since the current one seems fine, well lubed and the shop looked at the upper gears and didn't see any issues

Thanks again

i get a lot of video info on repairs from youtube try to find a video on changing ujoints if you can't find one on outdrives then look for one on cars it's the same thing. i changed thousand of ujoints on cars last year was my first time ever on a outdrive it was very easy it was just like doing it on a car