Perm-a-Lube U joints

[KWR]

1997 5.7L Merc. has a sealed engine coupler and Perm-a-Lube U joints. A Merc. parts man told me his shop routinely replaces these U joints with ones that have grease fittings. What's your take on this? How reliable are these Perm-a-Lube U joints? If they aren't broke, why replace them? How often should the O/D be pulled just for a look inside? I have F/W cooling, a belt driven sea water pump with a thru hull intake. Every year I change the O/D oil, lube the prop splines, the 3 O/D fittings and the drive shaft fitting. The eng. has 200 hrs. on it. Boat is operated in brackish water (very little salt) and it stays on a lift.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Perm-a-Lube U joints

hello<br /> I reccomend a once per year out drive pull. if it has an alpha drive seperate the upper from the lower every other year. once per year check the gimbal bearing and the ujoints as well as the trim sender and limit switch wiring. but the replacement joints are perma lube as well so unless its aftermarket joints your still stuck. you have to remove the drive to lube them anyway.