Questions regarding Alpha I Gen I

[Beefer]

1984 Alpha I Gen I (serial number is illegible)

Pulled the boat out the other day (first time in a year), and plan on replacing my U-Joints (the whole yoke assembly actually), and do some maintenance, etc.

I scraped off the residual barnacle crap from when I was wet slipped (on a lift now), and noticed the wiring on the trim limit switch is deteriorating. (See pic). Could this be the cause for my having recently lost the ability to raise the drive from the throttle button? I can still raise it using the "Lift for Trailering" button, so it hasn't been too much of a hassle, but I was thinking it was the button on the throttle causing the issue. The lowering still works.

Because of the trailer and driveway, I can't lower the drive. Can I do the u-joints with the drive tilted up? I can get it partly lowered, but not all the way.

Anyone know how much the drive weighs? Thinking I can either take it apart in pieces (lower, upper, bell), or in one piece if I can handle it alone.

And... once I have the drive removed, does the yoke just pull out, or do I need to pull and replace my gimbal bearing?

 

[dubs283]

Re: Questions regarding Alpha I Gen I

yes the faulty switch wires will cause your issue with the trim, repalce both sender/switch and adjust

you will have to pull the drive to replace the u-joint/shaft/yoke assy - the whole assy is attached to the drive and you will need to remove the bearing/drive gear assy to replace the yoke shaft

the drive weighs about 80-90 pounds, i have no problem moving the alphas around by hand but im used to moving them

the gimbal bearing is not part of the shaft assy on the drive, it is mounted in the gimbal housing

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Questions regarding Alpha I Gen I

Could drive the trailer up on some 2 x 10`s to raise the wheels or jack it up and block it.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Questions regarding Alpha I Gen I

I put the wheels on 2 by 8s and then I drop the front of the trailer. Puts my drive at the correct height to remove it to my homemade drive stand.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Questions regarding Alpha I Gen I

And... once I have the drive removed, does the yoke just pull out, or do I need to pull and replace my gimbal bearing?

You need to remove the bearing retainer #16:http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...r=70&bdesc=DRIVESHAFT+HOUSING+AND+DRIVE+GEARS To do that you need a spanner like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MERC...7006676QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear It is torqued to 200 ft lb, so you need the manual to calculate the proper torque, depending on how long your wrench is. Once the spanner is removed the whole thing comes out as a unit held together by the nut #28. Someone should be able to give you a link for the manual. Good luck

 

[bucknutjoe]

Re: Questions regarding Alpha I Gen I

While you're replacing the trim limit switches, and you also happen to be pulling the drive, make sure you completely replace all the wire! I have to run my boat now on down and trailer because I'm not going to pull the drive just for the trim limit switch. Plus, a month ago I had to replace the control box/arm and now the trailer button is integrated into the up button on the handle switch.