Lower Unit Removal Questions with Loads of Pictures

[zsmith29]

Hey Guys,
So I wanted to share my progress and I hope that you all will be able to see this link to photobucket.

2000 Mercruiser Alpha One 30 Liter 135 HP Photos by zsmith29 | Photobucket

So I have a 2000 Stingray 180RX I/O with the 3.0 Merc 135 HP motor

This is my first boat. Thanks to all for the informative posts and replies you have offered in the past. I have been sifting through the posts for the past year.

So I have removed my lower unit for maintenance/grease job.

Will you experienced guys please look at the photos and let me know if anything looks out of place and if anything looks like it is broken/damaged/or on its way out and needs replacing.

It came out smooth. I do have a few questions though:

1. I noticed a total of 3 grease (Zerk) fittings on the outside of the lower unit. Are there anymore grease fittings inside of the LU that I cannt see?
2. The knuckle is slightly rusted on my unit and there is no grease at all on this area. Please refer to photos. Is this a problem? I am planning on smearing loads of grease on this knuckle before replacing.


Any other video links, photos, or write-ups you can offer me on this subject will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Guys,
Zack

 

[airshot]

Re: Lower Unit Removal Questions with Loads of Pictures

I am no expert but I do my own OD maintainence frequently with help from this forum and the proper Mercruiser service manual. More questions can be answered thru the service manual than what I am able to see in pictures. The one item that stands out is the rust on the knuckles, how long has it been since they were serviced? You do not just smear grease on them, they have grease zerks and are to be greased annually. I normally spray mine with a rust prevent before storing it for the winter, after greasing the zerks. Swivel the u-joints to be sure they are extremely smooth, if they are not then replace them while you have it apart. The bearing just inside the drive mount, stick you fingers in there and rotate it, back and forth, again it should be very smooth, any rough spots then replace it. Examine the big rubber boot and be sure there are no cracks and it is still soft and pliable. How long since the drive boot has been replaced? If more than 5 years...think seriously about replacing it...now. Your Mercruiser service manual has an entire area for maintainence and things to look for. This should be done annually. I remove my outdrive for the winter and examine it thoroughly, then reexamine it again before I reinstall in the spring. If I have any problems I have all winter to fix them and will be ready to go in the spring. Can't see enough in the pics to give you more detailed information, perhaps others will see something that I do not. Good luck.........

Airshot

 

[Volphin]

Re: Lower Unit Removal Questions with Loads of Pictures

That's more rust than I would like to see on those U joints. Check them for wear and grease them up through the zerks on each one. You may need an additional fitting on your grease gut to reach them. Then hit them with a oil mist or rust preventer.

 

[flipbro]

Re: Lower Unit Removal Questions with Loads of Pictures

I dont see any grease nipples on them ujoints! Are they non grease able?

 

[Pete104]

Re: Lower Unit Removal Questions with Loads of Pictures

Yes, they are "perma-lube". No zirks. You can change them to greasable & after 15 yrs prolly ain't a bad idea, if they are original. Were they making noise when you turned hard? How does the gimbal brg feel? Another fella brought that up. That's the bearing between drive & engine.

There are automotive u-joint part numbers available thru a posting from a few years ago.

 

[zsmith29]

Re: Lower Unit Removal Questions with Loads of Pictures

I am no expert but I do my own OD maintainence frequently with help from this forum and the proper Mercruiser service manual. More questions can be answered thru the service manual than what I am able to see in pictures. The one item that stands out is the rust on the knuckles, how long has it been since they were serviced? You do not just smear grease on them, they have grease zerks and are to be greased annually. I normally spray mine with a rust prevent before storing it for the winter, after greasing the zerks. Swivel the u-joints to be sure they are extremely smooth, if they are not then replace them while you have it apart. The bearing just inside the drive mount, stick you fingers in there and rotate it, back and forth, again it should be very smooth, any rough spots then replace it. Examine the big rubber boot and be sure there are no cracks and it is still soft and pliable. How long since the drive boot has been replaced? If more than 5 years...think seriously about replacing it...now. Your Mercruiser service manual has an entire area for maintainence and things to look for. This should be done annually. I remove my outdrive for the winter and examine it thoroughly, then reexamine it again before I reinstall in the spring. If I have any problems I have all winter to fix them and will be ready to go in the spring. Can't see enough in the pics to give you more detailed information, perhaps others will see something that I do not. Good luck.........

Airshot

I will get in there tomorrow and test the U-Joint for any play and make sure she is good and smooth.

Also, I will look more into getting the service manual. Is the manual that is offered here on the website a physical book (like chilton or Haynes for cars/trucks)?



Thanks

 

[zsmith29]

Re: Lower Unit Removal Questions with Loads of Pictures

Yes, they are "perma-lube". No zirks. You can change them to greasable & after 15 yrs prolly ain't a bad idea, if they are original. Were they making noise when you turned hard? How does the gimbal brg feel? Another fella brought that up. That's the bearing between drive & engine.

There are automotive u-joint part numbers available thru a posting from a few years ago.

Yeah I could not find a zerk fitting on the u-joints.

The boat steers and operates perfectly. The only reason I did this job was that I bought the boat in Nov 2013 and I wanted to go through it steam to stern to do all the preventative maintenance so I can feel comfortable while out on it with the family.

1. Do you think that simply smearing loads of grease in and around the u-joints is enough? Should I spray WD-40 on the ujoints before greasing them?

2. Are there anymore zerk fittings inside of the LU other than the 3 that are on the outside of the unit?


Thanks again Guys

Zack

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Lower Unit Removal Questions with Loads of Pictures

This should work for the drive http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14cover.pdf.
The large rubber ring is glued to the housing, not just slipped ontop the drive. The could cause some water to enter the bellows and cause the rusting.

 

[flipbro]

Re: Lower Unit Removal Questions with Loads of Pictures

Smearing grease on them and wd 40 will mabe help with rusting but will do nothing for lubing them if you think they are dry replace them!!

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Lower Unit Removal Questions with Loads of Pictures

This should work for the drive http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14cover.pdf.

+1 on this version of the manual....

http://boatinfo.no/lib/mercruiser/manuals/mercruiser14.html#/0

Before I found this site, I went out and "bought" an OEM manual for my outdrive and then found it is available here for free! Unfortunately, the manual "advertised" in the headers of this site is highly NOT recommended as it (Seloc) and it's twin sister (Clymer) apparently tend to get you in more trouble then they are worth (although they do make good knee pads when working in your shop!).

If you need a "hardcopy", you can either print out portions for what you are working on, or you can go out and buy the whole thing at various other sites (and at various other prices from about 50 bucks to 150+). I tend to want to save money for parts, lures, and beer.:lol:

 

[bspeth]

Re: Lower Unit Removal Questions with Loads of Pictures

I got my hard copies of #6 and #7 for 32 apirce shipped on ebay. Also ended up with a copy of both volumes of #3 as a throw in.Its super nice to have the book in the shop with you IMO.It def didn't come from my beer budget though.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Lower Unit Removal Questions with Loads of Pictures

Need any more at that price?