Oil in u-joint bellows

[Van186sei]

I just pulled my outdrive (SX-CT1) and found oil in the u-joint bellows. Is there a seal or o-ring on the drive shaft where it goes into the upper gear housing? If so is this a very difficult job to do? Thanks to all in advance! This site is the BEST!!

 

[telstar1]

Re: Oil in u-joint bellows

Yep and its common to go. Changing it is easy but you do need a special wrench for the large castellated? retainer that you can see right at the entrance to the assembly(just behind u joints) I made a wrench out of a chunk of 3/16 aluminum scrap,got creative with a drill and jig saw. once that retainer is off the horizontal shaft assembly pulls out of the upper drive assy with no effort. Put u joints in a vice, take off nut behind gear and the whole works comes apart.Look for a wear point where seal rides. Moight need a speedi sleeve for it.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Oil in u-joint bellows

A good idea to replace the bellows too as the oil is not good for the rubber.

 

[fcawth]

Re: Oil in u-joint bellows

I just pulled my outdrive (SX-CT1) and found oil in the u-joint bellows. Is there a seal or o-ring on the drive shaft where it goes into the upper gear housing? If so is this a very difficult job to do? Thanks to all in advance! This site is the BEST!!

My SX usually has some gear oil in the bellows after a season of running (a small amount in the bottom of the folds of the bellows - maybe a teaspoon or something?). I usually full to near the top of the flat on the dipstick, and I think if you fill it too full you can get oil past the top seal when everything expands when hot. The loss is small enough that I can't tell when checking the level on the dipstick mid-season.

I pressure and vacuum test my drive each season (I remove it for the winter) and it solidly passes (I leave it for over twice as long as the manual says, and I never see a pressure/vacuum loss at all).

If you are concerned, do a pressure/vacuum test to verify the seals. It may just be that the drive was overfilled.

Fred

 

[Van186sei]

Re: Oil in u-joint bellows

Thanks for the input guys, i will try to get it taken apart tomorrow. I just got the boat a couple of months ago and want to get everything done so i dont have to worry about it for a while.

 

[telstar1]

Re: Oil in u-joint bellows

Sorry Van i thought it was Mercruiser Disregard prev input.

 

[Van186sei]

Re: Oil in u-joint bellows

Telstar1, right behind my u-joints at the entrance of the assemby i can see an inside snap ring. If i remove the 4 bolts from the pinion bearing carrier housing will that allow me to get to the seals that i need to change?

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Oil in u-joint bellows

You need a repair manual... bad before you start messing around with your outdrive too much... You are on the right track.. should be a seal for the shaft and oring or rings on the bearing carrier. Be careful prying on that thing.. Those are not gaskets behind there.. those are shims..

 

[Van186sei]

Re: Oil in u-joint bellows

Thanks Joshua, i did find a link to a manual in an old thread from Don. After reading the manual i think i will take it to someone that has the right tools for the job.

 

[Don S]

Re: Oil in u-joint bellows

You are going to need more than just that seal. You will also need the parts I have circled below. So you can reset the rolling torque.
Also, here is a link to the OEM service manual. It tells you how to do the job correctly.
http://www.4shared.com/file/91440382/a2422341/LK_SX-DPS.html

When you get it apart, be sure to check the yoke (#16) if it has a deep groove where the seal rides, it will need to be replaced too.
#20 is the plastic shims, do not loose them.

 

[Van186sei]

Re: Oil in u-joint bellows

Thanks Don, I visit the forum daily and you guys are the best, keep up the good work.