Just exactly how important is the grease in mercruiser U-joints?

[blackrider]

Recently replaced the bellows, gimbal bearing, impeller and while I had the drive off I shot some generic marine lube into my universal joints. Even before I lubed them, I ran the U joints in all different directions and they were smooth as glass. No grinding, binding or anything. Just as smooth as can be. But today I read in the mercruiser manual to use a specific type of grease and that without it the U joints will wear out much faster!!!

The bellows were free of water and there was no rust on anything. When I pumped in the few shots of new green grease no water pushed out of the seals with the old grease.

Should I be worried? I will be pulling the drive each year to lube and inspect. Is the merc grease really necessary? Anybody have any experience on this?

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Just exactly how important is the grease in mercruiser U-joints?

As "Bond-O" says...Any grease is better than no grease".

Get the correct grease prior to your next service but don't loose any sleep over it. They're U-joints.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Just exactly how important is the grease in mercruiser U-joints?

Since it is dry and you pull the outdrive every year, I would not worry about it. I have two cheap greaseguns, one filled with Quicksilver spline and U-joint grease that I use on the input shaft (where it goes into the coupler), the gimbal bearing and the U-joints. The other is filled wit Quicksilver 101 lube (water resistant) that I use on the gimbal ring (pivot points and swivel shaft) and prop shaft. A tube of each will last several years.

 

[blackrider]

Re: Just exactly how important is the grease in mercruiser U-joints?

Thanks for the input. I actually not only plan on pulling the drive each year for inspection but keeping the removed drive stored in my basement and away from freezing temps. I'll cover the transom housing with plastic wrap and duct tape. I will sleep easy now. Thanks.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Just exactly how important is the grease in mercruiser U-joints?

Since it is dry and you pull the outdrive every year, I would not worry about it. I have two cheap greaseguns, one filled with Quicksilver spline and U-joint grease that I use on the input shaft (where it goes into the coupler), the gimbal bearing and the U-joints. The other is filled wit Quicksilver 101 lube (water resistant) that I use on the gimbal ring (pivot points and swivel shaft) and prop shaft. A tube of each will last several years.

Ayuh,.... I've also got 2 greaseguns,... 1 hangs on my pickup with plain ole Napa chassis grease in it,...

The other is in my "Boat Kit Bucket", 'n is fulla 2-4-C,...

I use the 2-4-C for any, 'n all the Friction bearin's in the boat fleet I maintain, includin' My barges,...

Any of the Roller type bearin's, 'n the coupler get the chassis grease,...

blackrider's u-joints are Roller types, so, I wouldn't worry 1 bit 'bout it, at All,...

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Just exactly how important is the grease in mercruiser U-joints?

My brain locked up here I meant to say 2-4-C also not 101. Sorry about that.:facepalm: