gen 2 u joints

[telstar1]

Ive just aquired a low hours boat with gen 2 drive. Seems there is no way to grease the u joints. I like grease and would like to put in zerks. anyone done this? I had leg off for first time today,see that there are some nubs where zercs should be. Couldnt seem to get these nubs to turn with a cold chisel/punch,not even sure if theyre threaded into cross or not.Of course Im (so far)trying to do this with u joint shaft assembled which is awkward.Reason I like greasability is mainly for the odd time I get a damaged boot, water gets in and washes all grease away. Greasing them up when repairing boot has always saved the u joints for me in the past.
Anyone who can lend advice Id appreciate it.

 

[glennwolf]

Re: gen 2 u joints

Those joints are not designed to be greased. You can replace them with ones that have zirks. I would not drill into them to install zirks for fear of getting metal in the bearing area though.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: gen 2 u joints

Ditto. Just run them till they need replaced, then install greaseable joints.

 

[telstar1]

Re: gen 2 u joints

Thanks so the greasable ones are what you get when you order replacement u joints from M/C or does one have to be specific,go
aftermarket or what?Thanks again for responses

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: gen 2 u joints

my SEI Gen 2 replacement drive came with grease fittings on the u joints.

SEI sells the greaseable cross for $48.05

But unless yours are leaking grease, got wet, or feel sloppy, I wouldn't worry about them

 

[dubs283]

Re: gen 2 u joints

i have removed the plugs with a 5.5 mm, 6 point socket

you have to grind down the end of the socket to "sharpen" it - basically remove the rounded end to where the hex portion is flat

then pound the socket over the plug and remove it by turning it out - the plug is threaded

 

[Alpheus]

Re: gen 2 u joints

Here is a cross reference for your U-joints.

SPICER# 5-1306X
ROCKFORD# K1306
DETROIT# 7260
NEAPCO# 1-6300 / 1-6301
PRECISION (MOOG)# 315G
TRW (FEDERAL MOGUL)# 20030 / 20030P

 

[telstar1]

Re: gen 2 u joints

Excellent info. First I will try the 6 point socket thing. Thanks much all.

 

[telstar1]

Re: gen 2 u joints

Got the zercs out! The socket thing worked right off on the first one, no go on the second likely because Id mutilated it too much on prev. attempt with cold chisel. (all this being done with u joints and drive shaft assembled.)Next I cut a slot in the plug with a die grinder equipped with a narrow 1.5 inch cutoff wheel. Got a nice slot in it.ground a screwdriver bit to fit, wouldnt budge. Got out the Makita impact drill/driver.After one broken bit, out it came!Found some zerks in an old merc ujoint setup (they werent the same thread as any normal ones I had),installed and greased up. Incidentally, this boat is like new--- no actual idea how many hours are on it but it is likely around 100---.anyhow it took a LOT of grease to fill u joints about 8 shots from a full size grease gun.Id have thought something "lifetime lubed" would take hardly any but???
Anyhow Im happy now. Thought Id share the cure as well as extend thanks to those whio pointed me in the right direction.

 

[Bluestream]

Re: gen 2 u joints

Ive just aquired a low hours boat with gen 2 drive. Seems there is no way to grease the u joints. I like grease and would like to put in zerks. anyone done this? I had leg off for first time today,see that there are some nubs where zercs should be. Couldnt seem to get these nubs to turn with a cold chisel/punch,not even sure if theyre threaded into cross or not.Of course Im (so far)trying to do this with u joint shaft assembled which is awkward.Reason I like greasability is mainly for the odd time I get a damaged boot, water gets in and washes all grease away. Greasing them up when repairing boot has always saved the u joints for me in the past.
Anyone who can lend advice Id appreciate it.

If it has low hours the U-joints are likely fine. Sealed U-joints are designed to run without being re-greased, and there is no reason to changed them out. Its not like failure is imminent because there are no zerk fittings.

Automotive OEM u-joints have no zerks for the most part and often go 300K miles without grease.