Moisture in bellows

[Thuffjr]

I am in the middle of replacing my lower gear case on a alpha one. I called SEI and the tech guy said I may need to replace my upper also. I removed my upper and found moisture in the bellows. The shafts turn fine and there isn't really alot of rust on the universals. How do I know if i need to replace my upper also?

 

[cr2k]

Re: Moisture in bellows

Why are you replacing the lower? If you found lots of metal particles in it you will at least need to flush it very well and this is if there is damage to the lower and not the upper.

Moisture in bellows would mean you bellows is probably compromised and needs to be replaced. Do your U-joints feel good? no grinding or sloppiness?

Do they have grease fittings?

with unknown circumstances you may need to replace your upper, but we need a little more info to make a suggestion.

 

[Thuffjr]

Re: Moisture in bellows

Ok so im a newbe to boat owning and I stupidly did not change the oil in my out drive last fall. went out to fire her up in april and my lower gear case was cracked. I have no idea if my upper is ok. I pulled it and yes it does have grease fittings and the shaft turns fine no hanging up or grinding. the SEI tech told me to make sure the upper is good but how do i know if it is good or bad?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Moisture in bellows

Not changing the oil does not cause a crack unless the unit was filled with water.
The lower dosent crack unless it was stored in the trailer position and water got in the cavity .
You could try removing the top cap of the upper and look inside.

 

[Thuffjr]

Re: Moisture in bellows

stored boat with out drive tilted down
there was water in the lower gear case this spring when i noticed the cracked case. SEI tech said water could get in from upper unit. I removed top cap looked fine to me grease was a little brown but not much rust. removed the entire upper and u joints were greased (same brown color) but the saft turns smooth. Just not sure how to test upper properly

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Moisture in bellows

There is no grease in the upper, supposed to have 90Wt oil.

 

[Thuffjr]

Re: Moisture in bellows

was no oil in upper when i pulled top cap, grease was in u joint bellows sorry i should have been clearer

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Moisture in bellows

So, where did the oil go? The gears should be clean metal looking, no discoloration, no brown looking film.post a pic but it sounds like your in the market for a upper unit too.