Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

[sea wolf]

I replaced gimbal bearing, u-joints, & u-joint bellows. I checked the alignment & the tool slides in with little difficulty. I fought with this thing today in 90 deg. heat for 3 hrs., then finally gave up in total disgust. I have tried the screwdriver trick, brute force, bumping the engine, etc, etc., got the neighbors pi##ed at me for my language & all of that did no good. I can get it up to the studs, then is stops like I'm hitting a brick wall. Very frustrating. A couple months ago after changing the bellows I had the drive back in & bolted up in 20 minutes. What gives?

 

[Don S]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

Sounds like you are coming up against either the orings on the shaft or the ujoing center section is hitting on the bellows.<br />if it't the orings, put some oil (Not grease) on them and give it a try. Usually soapy water or some dish washing liquid makes the slip past the bellows easier.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

Well, I checked the alignment again. I greased up the tool & inserted it into the bearing. When I pulled it out it was dry on the bottom where apparently the greased had rubbed off. Now I'm wondering if the alignment isn't off. What do u guys think? However I can insert the bar in with 2 fingers. Could the alignment have changed that much from just changing the bearing? Like I said, a couple months the l/u when back on in a snap.

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

Make sure you didn't get any grease inside the coupler. If you had grease on the drive shaft the first time you tried to insert it maybe you are creating a hydrolock condition. My manual and several posts warn of this possibility of grease is on the shaft. By now you could just have pushed it deep into the coupler preventing the spline shaft from getting all the way in. I am just trying to think of all the possible blockages. I pulled my drive for the first time last night and I was very concerned after I read your post that I wouldn;t get it back on. It slipped on easy as can be. I made sure I cleaned the grease out of the bellows though from the gimball bearing "over flow" (splattered all over the inside of the bellows from the drive shaft spinning). I was concerned that some of the grease would get on the shaft when I pushed it in and get into the coupler. Maybe you got some in there accidentally.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

Vatt, thanx for responding. However, if u don't grease the drive shaft, it will run dry inside the coupler. There's no grease fitting for the coupler, so the only way I know of to get grease in there is to grease the drive shaft splines. I think what u are referiing to, is not to overgrease the u-joint yokes which can cause an air lock. I'm going to change the o-rings & see if that helps.

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

No, I am specifically refering to the spline shaft. You should lube it with oil, not grease. The grease will hydrolock preventing isertion of the spline shaft. It even said this on the instruction sheet that came in the gasket set from Sierra (the kit whick included the "O" Rings. Since the splined hole in the couple is a blind hole (no opening out the back) there in no where for the grease to go. Grease is basically a liquid and can not be compressed. If you greased the splined shaft that is your trouble. After this second insertion (the first time you said you replaced the shaft you said it was easy and I assume you greased it then too) there is grease built up inside the couple preventing the splined shaft from entering all the way. Get the grease out of the hole (which will be a challenge I think) and luge the splines with oil or some special lubricant like Sierra advertises on the instruction sheet. Definately not grease.

 

[Don S]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

Hold on there Ron<br />You are supposed to put SPLINE grease on the shaft, not oil. Oil wouldn't last 10 minutes and will cost you a coupler.<br />Of course you don't want the coupler full of grease, but you better have grease on those splines. If you can push the alignment bar all the way in then a grease hydrolock in not the problem.<br />Put grease on the splines, and oil on the orings on the shaft that go in the gimbal bearing.

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

The spline grease I have is more like thick oil than grease. My point is that if the same grease is used or grease from the splattering of the gimball bearing gets on the shaft while your are shoving the spline shaft through a greasy bellows, the shaft will not insert. I realize it needs to be lubed and the spline grease is actually what is mentioned in the manual (even Clymers) and on the gasket kit instructions. Sorry if it seems I over stressed my point but he indicated he greased the shaft.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

How are you putting the drive back on? By that, I mean a couple of people holding it up while you try to maneuver it on, or do you have some type of lift/ holder to help? <br /><br />If the first, might be worth investing 45 minutes or so to build a drive holder out of scrap 2x4's. At least that way you can easily evaluate where the hangup is as you try to put it back on without killing yourself(s) trying to hold it in place...With the Cobra holder I made I can easily remove or replace my drive by myself. If there were any hangups, I could evaluate & deal with them with the drive steady in place.<br /><br />btw, my OMC service manual is down at the boathouse, but almost positive it says to lightly coat the splines with OMC Triple Guard Grease, which I've used with no problems. But if you do have too much grease already in there, don't know how you'd easily get it out (maybe tape a rag to a thin rod & try to 'fish' out the extra grease?) <br /><br /> homemade sterndrive holder

 

[SeaRyan]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

Sea wolf. I had same issue worked on it with my dad for hours and I had to have my dad hold outdrive and wiggled it while I kicked it in. In 2 kicks it went right in with it greased real good. It's probably happening because the u joints are kinking once you have the drive up to the bolts or the splines aren't lining up.We would get an inch from the bell housing and then couldn't move it any futher. <br /><br />Good Luck!

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

I'm using spline grease on the shaft & I oiled the o-rings. Still no luck. That's why I'm here. I had to walk away for a while before I do something really stupid, if you know what I mean. The shaft is not indexing with the coupler. I can tell by the grease marks when i pull it back out. My next step is to take the bellows out & put the old one back on. Last spring when I replaced the bellows, the drive went back on with no trouble. Thanx to everyone for their advice.

 

[hoot]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

some thoughts. why change the bellows back to the old one? check the shift slide to be sure it is sliding into the housing. shift shafts all in forward gear position? is the yoke of the u-joint straight? it can catch on my early drive on a lip inside the gimbal housing and on the pleats of the bellows. you can rotate the drive input shaft by pushing down on the prop in a counter clockwise direction with your foot. make sure the gimbal housing and the drive are parallel with one another and not at an angle. make sure the water inlet oring stays in place!! i've wrestled with mine several nights before it would slide in, but what a feeling when it did. good luck.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

Well,I was thinking that maybe I was sold the wrong bellows. I tried it again with the old one, no luck. I got the drive shaft into the coupler part way, but that's it. I can't even get the studs into the drive. I've about had it. Oh how I wish I knew then what I know now about omc & their pizz poor engineering failures,i.e. shift cables, esa system, difficulties in even getting their lousy lower units back on, etc., etc, etc. Next year the boat goes on the sale block. It's too late in the season now & who wants a stinking boat withomc l.u. that won't even go back on? If i ever get another boat it'll be a cold day in hell when i'll buy one with a friggin omc hanging off the back! No wonder most boat techs want nothing to do with 'em. In any case, thanx for your help.

 

[air0msw@yahoo.com]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

Had this problem with my OMC Cobra. Found that U-joint was catching on lip of bellows as previously suggested. What I have done is get the outdrive up to that point and use a standard screwdriver and turn the shaft at the U-joint while pushing in on the drive. It always slides on enough shortly after to get a nut started.

 

[pete44]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

Sorry bout your troubles Seawolf...I am about to face the same thing (transom rebuild)...I will be placing engine back in..but as far as shaft alignment..I'm letting a pro do it...He said you can do it..but if something is a little off in there it could COST you plenty...He said around $100 to do it...so hey, I don't trust myself enough to do it...This is my first and he's done dozens of them..Its like they say you can PAY me now or PAY me later....anyhow, just my opinion....Good Luck,Pete

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

I've done it all. I've probably got 10 hrs. into it. I'm doing it by myself, so it makes it more difficult. But hey, it an omc pig. Why do u think they went bankrupt? The only reason I've stuck with this boat is it's a starcraft, an '87 in excellent condition except for the crap hanging off the back. It amazes me that so called engineers can design a boat drive that is nearly impossible to reattach TO the boat. I'm going to make it my mission to inform as many consumers as I can what a piece of **** omc is. If I can spare just a few unsuspecting potential omc buyers the frustration that I'm going thru, it'll be worth it.

 

[pete44]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

Thanks Seawolf...I got lucky and my boats previous owner said dont buy omc..I have mercruiser/alpha combo...My first boat..My problem is opposite..good engine and drive..had bad transom..old Searay with wood/fiberglass construction..need to take it all apart and start over on wood part..otherwise good vessel..I think we all in here have our problems either mechanical or constuctional..fix it anyway you can and you sound like me..(temper part) thats whats being Scotch/Iris will do for you ..then get rid of it and buy mercruiser/alpha combo..you'll be alot happier...Pete44

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

I dont know thats entirely true. I have heard a few Merc stories, just read this site. May be more Merc postings than OMC. Mine works fine and easy as can be to put the L/U back on. You have something you're doing wrong. This is one of those things like in cars. For every Ford lover I know a Ford hater (Fix Or Repair Daily). Same for Chrysler products and GM. It depends on a personal experience. I think it depends more on the actual boat you buy and how careful and thorough you are in going through it BEFORE you buy it in the first palce. Al well amintained boat of any brand is better that a poorly maintained boat of the best brand (what ever you may consider it to be). Lesson learned from above Sea Wolf. Buy a newer boat or at least one in far better condition.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

No Vatt, I'm not doing anything wrong. I have done everything that was suggested by other posters, with a couple of my own tricks thrown in. And I'm not a novice when it comes to boats. I do my own maintenance. I haven't paid a boat mechanic in years to work on this boat. I take good care of my toys. I've seen it all, from replacing a head gasket, to resealing the entire l/u. So, I think I know what I'm doing. The boat itself is in excellent condition for an '87 & I get plenty of compliments on the condition of it. My opinion still stands on omc. I am considering dumping the cobra, & retrofitting it with a Volvo. If it is cost prohibitive, I'll probably sell it. Enough is enough. The only reason there are more Merc postings is there are more of them out there.

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Here we go again........can't get cobra l/u back on

where are you and how much you want?? Might take it with the leg off if you give the right price. By the way, what engine is in it??