Pre-loading Shaft Bearings??

[megkay]

Im a bit confused and overwelmed of the pre loading that needs to be done on the yoke shaft bearings. I have the drive pulled and i was going to change out the oil seal but i just cant seem to understand the way its done, I have read the manual (over and over) but it just dont make sence to me, maybe im thinking too much into it i dont know but i really need to change the oil seal. any help would be great.

Its a 1996 Mercruiser with the Alpha I Gen II outdrive

 

[Bondo]

Re: Pre-loading Shaft Bearings??

I have read the manual (over and over) but it just dont make sence to me,

Ayuh,....
Answering this question with 1 finger would be Much Easier if you just tell Us the part you Don't Understand.....

It's all about bearing Pre-load,+ Where the Gears mesh together....
Get it Right,.... And it'll Last....
Get it Wrong,.... You'll have Powdered Gears in No Time....

 

[Don S]

Re: Pre-loading Shaft Bearings??

I have read the manual (over and over) but it just dont make sence to me

It would also help to know WHAT manual you are reading. Sure hope it's the OEM manual, and not a Seloc or Clymers.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Pre-loading Shaft Bearings??

rolling torque.... oh boy.... i can explain it.... but before i do... but do you have a dial type 1/4inch or 3/8ths in torque wrench... something equal to or similar to this....

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...2&group_ID=961&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

doesn't have to be a snapon... but it should be of good quality. and with a scale of 150 inch pounds or finer.....

i won't even touch the fish scale method

so do you have that or similar tool?

if you don't buy one.... if you don't want to buy one then take it to a shop, because that's the only way it's going to be right.

 

[megkay]

Re: Pre-loading Shaft Bearings??

The manual is the one i downloaded off here..it's #14, and as for the torque wrench, i all i have is one of those cheap deals.i guess its the "fish scale type" lol

 

[ziggy]

Re: Pre-loading Shaft Bearings??

.i guess its the "fish scale type" lol

that sounds pretty iffy.... like if yer wrong, poof, there goes yer drive....

 

[JustJason]

Re: Pre-loading Shaft Bearings??

a fish scale is not a type of torque wrench... but with an actual fish scale and some string you can set rolling torque.... its just a bXtch to do it that way and it's close but not as accurate as setting with a dial torque wrench.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Pre-loading Shaft Bearings??

i sure like yer torque wrench idea better cj....... that seems to be a critical torque value......myself, i got lucky. mine was not rolling torque. but i still got a different torque wrench to set mine so that the value was towawrds the center of the range.... i had a bar type and a click type one that was too close to one end of the range or the other. best to use the right, or best, tools ya can....

 

[megkay]

Re: Pre-loading Shaft Bearings??

I dont know, it sounds way too complicated for me. maybe i will have to spend and arm and a leg to let a dealership do it. as much as i hate to,

 

[Don S]

Re: Pre-loading Shaft Bearings??

I dont know, it sounds way too complicated for me. maybe i will have to spend and arm and a leg to let a dealership do it. as much as i hate to,

Look at it this way, It's cheaper than a new drive if you screw it up.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Pre-loading Shaft Bearings??

I dont know, it sounds way too complicated for me.

if you use this forum for questions. if you follow the exact method for servicing per the mercruiser service manual for yer rig. and use the proper tools, i think you can be successful. but you just can't sub fish scales and string a for inch pound torque wrenches that's accurate + or - 2%. it took me 2 months to R&R my yoke seal and r&r the drive gear yoke brgs. granted i wasn't working on it all the time. but i was thinking about it and what i was gonna do. i ask many questions here. i decided what was good advise and what wasn't. i read my service manual a lot. over and over till i understood what i was getting ready to do. i made sure i used the proper tools. the ones i didn't have i got somehow. but i did get them. it's critical..... the consequence or being a slacker and doing it half way i'm convinced will end in failure.... do it proper or do farm it out...... and if ya do it yerself. be sure and ask questions here. i think the folks here just want to help. i know that's my only goal. kinda like payback for all the help i've received from this forum and it's members who have helped me so much. they know who they are. a thank you isn't enough. use their experience and knowledge to yer advantage......

 

[bamadave]

Re: Pre-loading Shaft Bearings??

My father taught me more years ago to buy the best tools I could , one time, take care of them, learn how to use them, and they will be one of the best investments I would make in my lifetime.
If you are a serious boater, and want to take care of your boat properly, not half-*** it, a nice click type torque wrench is around 100.00. Now , the wrench doesn't make you a mechanic, but if you have a mechanical understanding, can follow instructions, I believe you can do it. But as Don said, if there is a question, it will be cheaper in the long run to have a pro to do it.
Even though Don and other's are nice enough to send you a link to the factory manuals, the real deal in your hands is your boat engine's bible. Everything you need to maintain it is there. What you don't know, the pro's here do, and as long as you give all the pertinent information, I guarantee you won't be misled. These guys here can save you thousands of dollars in repairs in preventing them before they happen, but only if you listen and learn. Sorry if I sound like I'm preaching, just wish more people that own boats knew more about their machinery than where the fuel cap was.

 

[megkay]

Re: Pre-loading Shaft Bearings??

Very well said Bamadave, i love this site im on it everyday and i dont think a day gos by that i dont learn something from all the pro's on here, and ziggy you made some good points too about the tools. if you dont have the right tools for the job your just asking for trouble. I have only had a boat for about 4 months now, and I have come along way already, just by reading, reading and reading some more all on this site. so my hats off to all you guys that take people like me under your wing's. THANKS GUYS!!