Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

[further]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

So after much fighting and cursing, I was able to walk the trim rams off the rod (thanks for the idea/suggestion Bruce!). Was easier to do once I figured out that I had to walk off both front and back at the same time :facepalm: Anyway, they're off! The rod; however, will NOT BUDGE!



I've soaked it with penetrating oil and tried the to walk each end with the nuts on and no go. Don't know here to go from here.
Any suggestions would be great....

On a brighter note, once I got the trim rams off, I was able to pull the outdrive right off... Though it was gonna be much worse...

Success!!


U joints look pretty good. How's one tell if they are ok?




Lots of clean up needed... Can't tell what the heck this white stuff is??? Sand??


So any suggestions on how to get the trim rod out would be great... I guess I could leave it as is and walk them off each time I remove the drive, but would really like to have things set up right and properly lubricated, etc.
Thanks

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

Use something like Kroil. You may have to lay the drive on its side and then flip it over and repeat on the other side. In the mean time, but replacement plastic bushings as you will likely ruin them in the process.

By the way, those are likely salt and calcium deposits from the salt water evaporating.

I am assuming you put the back cover back on after removing the shift cable?

 

[further]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

Use something like Kroil. You may have to lay the drive on its side and then flip it over and repeat on the other side. In the mean time, but replacement plastic bushings as you will likely ruin them in the process.

By the way, those are likely salt and calcium deposits from the salt water evaporating.

I am assuming you put the back cover back on after removing the shift cable?

Thanks much Bruce! Kroil ordered. Suggestion on where to find the bushings? Gonna need four new ones for the trim rams as well...

Figured it was something like salt or calcium.. sure feels like sand though lol.

Yes, I took the shift cable out yesterday and put the cover back on before finishing up for the night last night and just left it on today.

 

[further]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

Use something like Kroil. You may have to lay the drive on its side and then flip it over and repeat on the other side. In the mean time, but replacement plastic bushings as you will likely ruin them in the process.

Found the bushings here on iboats. Ordered!

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

Man, I am so glad my boat was only used in fresh water...I would not want to try that on a boat that sat for 8 years, exposed in a salty environment!!

As long as there's no "play" in the u-joints and they feel smooth...they're probably okay? Of course, now would be the time to replace with the sierra ones (they have the grease zerks). Of course, you plan on taking them off seasonally and have that handy dandy alignment bar!

~brett

 

[further]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

Man, I am so glad my boat was only used in fresh water...I would not want to try that on a boat that sat for 8 years, exposed in a salty environment!!

As long as there's no "play" in the u-joints and they feel smooth...they're probably okay? Of course, now would be the time to replace with the sierra ones (they have the grease zerks). Of course, you plan on taking them off seasonally and have that handy dandy alignment bar!

~brett

I hear ya bro... Cleaning this up and it will never, from this day forward, see salt water again. Looking at buying a house in Northwest Jersey in a lake community this summer so this girl gonna have a new home in fresh water real soon!

Yeah the u-joints don't look too old and definitely feel smooth with no play - these have the grease zerks, so will grease em good. I think I'm gonna leave em alone this time and focus on the bellows. I'm definitely planning on removing the drive at least once a year for maintenance/inspection purposes.

 

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Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

Question... Since my outdrive has been covered in anti-fouling paint all over, including the nameplate location and the nameplate on the motor is worn, is there any other method of determining the exact model # and ratio of my outdrive? I'm new to all this and not knowing what model/ratio for the drive is making it kinda hard to be confident about what parts to order and what to read up on in the manuals. My motor model# is clear on the nameplate thankfully (4.3GS PNCA).
Thanks

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

Unless you are replacing the gears in the drive, not sure it matters.

 

[further]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

Hmmm, ok but when I'm going to buy parts, etc. I'm asked to choose one of may different model #'s for the SX drive.. Just want to be sure I'm ordering the right parts.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

I see what you mean. The Volvo store wants you to specify. Most sites aren't like it as it goes by model year and engine size.

 

[further]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

K gotchya... Thanks

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

You can determine it by turning the u-joint shaft and counting the revolutions of the prop. May have to turn it 20 times or so to get an accurate count because some of the ratios are pretty close to each other.

 

[dannys2004glastron175mx]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

there should be a tag on the inside of your transom mount. there is one on mine

 

[Lou C]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive



That rod can be hard to get out, but if it will not budge, there is nothing wrong with loosening the trim rams at both the drive end and the tramson end to get the drive off. You might try something like brake drum puller if you can safely set it up. If not its not such a big deal. Mine has always come out and my boat is moored in salt water for 6 months out of the year here in Long Island. You're lucky, really lucky that the drive did not corrode in place, or that there was no leak of salt water in the bellows, that would have ruined not one but several days. Now if you ever have to split the upper and lower drive halves, here is my trick, note the all thread through the trim ram rod and the bolts in the lower holes on the front of the upper gear case, I put a small scissors jack under the front 2 bolts and one under each side of the all thread. Crank them slowly, evenly and it pops right off. And before this I tried for days to get it apart, nothing worked. Then I came up with the idea of putting the bolts and the all thread at the strongest part (mounting holes) of the upper gear housing. I had to split the drive to clean barnacles out of the water intake unit, yes they grew on the INSIDE cutting down cooling water flow.

This will work exactly the same on your Volvos because the SX was based on the design of the Cobra but with the cone clutch shifting.


Salt water is not the kiss of death that some think, look at my drive, its 26 years old and still going strong, at least 12 years slipped in salt water. Same shift cable the whole 12 years I have owned it, changed the bellows + gimble once.

Maintenance of a salt water boat is like aircraft maintenance, you just get on a schedule and don't deviate or take short cuts.

BTW, I use OMC gasket sealer (Permatex Aviation Sealer) on all threaded fasteners as per the manual and they all come out. I use OMC triple guard grease on the trim rod, on the shift bellcrank, and on the driveshaft splines.

 

[further]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

there should be a tag on the inside of your transom mount. there is one on mine

I'll check that but it's likely been painted over with anti-foul.
Thanks for the suggestion

 

[further]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

View attachment 225507View attachment 225508

That rod can be hard to get out, but if it will not budge, there is nothing wrong with loosening the trim rams at both the drive end and the tramson end to get the drive off. You might try something like brake drum puller if you can safely set it up. If not its not such a big deal. Mine has always come out and my boat is moored in salt water for 6 months out of the year here in Long Island. You're lucky, really lucky that the drive did not corrode in place, or that there was no leak of salt water in the bellows, that would have ruined not one but several days. Now if you ever have to split the upper and lower drive halves, here is my trick, note the all thread through the trim ram rod and the bolts in the lower holes on the front of the upper gear case, I put a small scissors jack under the front 2 bolts and one under each side of the all thread. Crank them slowly, evenly and it pops right off. And before this I tried for days to get it apart, nothing worked. Then I came up with the idea of putting the bolts and the all thread at the strongest part (mounting holes) of the upper gear housing. I had to split the drive to clean barnacles out of the water intake unit, yes they grew on the INSIDE cutting down cooling water flow.

This will work exactly the same on your Volvos because the SX was based on the design of the Cobra but with the cone clutch shifting.


Salt water is not the kiss of death that some think, look at my drive, its 26 years old and still going strong, at least 12 years slipped in salt water. Same shift cable the whole 12 years I have owned it, changed the bellows + gimble once.

Maintenance of a salt water boat is like aircraft maintenance, you just get on a schedule and don't deviate or take short cuts.

BTW, I use OMC gasket sealer (Permatex Aviation Sealer) on all threaded fasteners as per the manual and they all come out. I use OMC triple guard grease on the trim rod, on the shift bellcrank, and on the driveshaft splines.

Thanks for the pointers Lou! Definitely good to know.

 

[dannys2004glastron175mx]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

I'll check that but it's likely been painted over with anti-foul.
Thanks for the suggestion

O sorry the transom mount in your engine bay there should not be any anti-foul paint in there

 

[further]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

O sorry the transom mount in your engine bay there should not be any anti-foul paint in there

K cool, will check that as soon as this damn weather decides what its gonna do and I can take the tarp off

 

[further]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

Is this stuff ok to use on the alignment tool and driveshaft splines?
Coastal Moly EP

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

I don't think it really matters. I use Sierra spline grease but only because I happened to buy it once.