Maintenance / lubrication questions

[garycinn]

I have been a lurker for a few weeks and I am amazed at the technical expertise on this forum.<br /><br />I know have a question or two of my own. I am new to boating (just bought the boat 2 months ago) and wanting to do as much self-maintenance as I can.<br /><br />I have a 2001 Bryant with a 4.3L EFI w/ Mercruiser Alpha drive. I own the engine and outdrive Mercury repair manuals. In the outdrive manual it states to lubricate the two zerk fittings on the hinge joints and the one on the transom (I assume this lubricates the gimbel bearing?). There is also a zerk fitting mentioned in the engine manual that is towards the rear of the engine, but I haven't found it yet. <br /><br />My question is: how much lubrication? How many pumps from a standard grease gun?<br /><br />Thanks again,<br /><br />Gary

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Maintenance / lubrication questions

The ones on the hinge joints probably won't take any grease---I just put the gun on them every other time I put in the water and press lightly until I feel resistance---not even one pump, usually.<br /><br />The one on the upper housing I pump about 8 to 10 times, every other time I put in the water.<br /><br />Curious to see what others say?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Maintenance / lubrication questions

I always pump the hinge joints until you see the old grease come out from the inner bushing and the others get at least 3-5 pumps.Charlie

 

[Bondo]

Re: Maintenance / lubrication questions

For Me it's 5 pumps per, every 50hrs....<br />Along with oil, filter,Etc....

 

[BrianFD]

Re: Maintenance / lubrication questions

Now my boat mechanic said that too much grease in the zircs is a bad thing. Probably because, when he pulled my lower unit last Spring, my white lithium grease was EVERYWHERE! He told me just little is enough, and not to go 'overboard'. Don't know if he was talkin' about my greasin', or just giving me good on-the-water advice, hehehe.

 

[andrewgroup]

Re: Maintenance / lubrication questions

the rotational speed of these joints is extremely low. I know some people that think they should grease the ball hitch on the tow truck, it's just not that important. If I had to guess, the grease does more to displace the water thus rust, than to lubricate the joint.<br /><br />My 1969 Mercrusier Type II 1:1.78 gets lubricated at the end of the season and maybe, once depending on if I change the engine oil during the season or not, and it gets touched at the beginning of the season. My uncle bought the boat new and had the same process.<br /><br />How many of you owned older trucks with King Pin front axles? We probably greased them very 10,000 miles or more.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Maintenance / lubrication questions

OK boys, I'll back off the grease.<br /><br />Can't blame a guy for liking to pump.<br /><br />I used the routine I mentioned above for 12 years, 860 hours, on a 1976 cobalt, and the upper drive was never detached from the motor. From what I read here, that is unusual, or is it?