U-joint Greasing?

[Condor1970]

You know, I haven't touched the U-joints on my truck in years.

How often am I supposed to pull the lower off, and grease the U-joints of an Alpha One?

 

[stonyloam]

Every year.

 

[Condor1970]

Ok, so I ordered a bunch of stuff. gasket kits, and a few tubes of Quicksilver U-joint grease. Now, this stuff won't arrive for a week or so, but I have the opportunity to draind ad refill the outdrive lower gear oil this weekend. Is ist ok to do this before I pull the lower off?

Will the gear oil leak out from anywhere if I pull the lower?

 

[Condor1970]

Ok, so I ordered a bunch of stuff. gasket kits, and a few tubes of Quicksilver U-joint grease. Now, this stuff won't arrive for a week or so, but I have the opportunity to draind ad refill the outdrive lower gear oil this weekend. Is ist ok to do this before I pull the lower off?

Will the gear oil leak out from anywhere if I pull the lower?

 

[bruceb58]

Usually there would be no problem with that. If there happens to be any gear oil in the bellows when you take off the drive you would likely have to drain it out again but hopefully that chance is low.

 

[Condor1970]

Any particular marine grease you guys prefer?

 

[JimS123]

Mercury 2-4-C meant for u-joints. That's likely what's in there and you don't want to mix different grease.

100 hours is the interval by the book. 1 year might be overkill.

Lube change takes only a few minutes. Why set up with the newspapers, tarps and such twice. Do it all the same time.

 

[muc]

Do NOT use 2-4-C for u-joints. Use u-joint grease for the u-joints. And use spline grease for the splines that go into the coupler.

 

[JimS123]

Do NOT use 2-4-C for u-joints. Use u-joint grease for the u-joints. And use spline grease for the splines that go into the coupler.

Quote Mercruiser Operation and maintenance manual 90-42227 1-883 Model MCM 140 (1984 Model Year):
"Stern Drive Universal Joint Shaft Splines and Cross Bearings - Lubricate every 100 hours with Quicksilver 2-4-C Multi-Lube".

That's all I know......Been doing it for 31 years now per the "book. OMG I hope she doesn't fall apart now.

 

[airshot]

I take my outdrive off every fall when winterizing my boat, gives me a chance to inspect everything before putting her to bed. If any issues crop up, I have all winter to fix them so she is ready for spring. Everything is reinspected and greased before reinstalling in the spring as well as an alignment check. Also change the outdrive oil before winter to be sure no water is inside, I then store outdrive in my heated garage and boat in the barn.

 

[muc]

Quote Mercruiser Operation and maintenance manual 90-42227 1-883 Model MCM 140 (1984 Model Year):
"Stern Drive Universal Joint Shaft Splines and Cross Bearings - Lubricate every 100 hours with Quicksilver 2-4-C Multi-Lube".

That's all I know......Been doing it for 31 years now per the "book. OMG I hope she doesn't fall apart now.

~~Hi JimS123,
You might have missed Service Bulletin 94-13
Problem
The present 2-4-C grease that is listed in the service manuals the Operation and Owners Manuals and the Accessories Manual has had (Teflon) added and at this time is not recommended for use in the Greaseable U-Joint Cross & Bearing or in the Gimbal Bearing on any Alpha or Bravo Drive Unit, that has a greaseable Cross & Bearing assembly in it.
Correction
The following grease will supersede the use of the 2-4-C for the U-Joint and Gimbal bearing application in
MerCruiser stern drives with the Greaseable Cross & Bearing also in all Gimbal Bearing usage.
The new name of the grease is (Universal-Joint & Gimbal Bearing Grease)

In MerCruiser School that year they told us that using 2-4-C with Teflon in gimbal bearings or U-joints would cause the bearings to “skate” and ruin them. It looks like you have spent 20 years proving them wrong.
Still I think I will continue to recommend Universal-Joint & Gimbal Bearing Grease

 

[JimS123]

~~Hi JimS123,
You might have missed Service Bulletin 94-13
Problem
The present 2-4-C grease that is listed in the service manuals the Operation and Owners Manuals and the Accessories Manual has had (Teflon) added and at this time is not recommended for use in the Greaseable U-Joint Cross & Bearing or in the Gimbal Bearing on any Alpha or Bravo Drive Unit, that has a greaseable Cross & Bearing assembly in it.
Correction
The following grease will supersede the use of the 2-4-C for the U-Joint and Gimbal bearing application in
MerCruiser stern drives with the Greaseable Cross & Bearing also in all Gimbal Bearing usage.
The new name of the grease is (Universal-Joint & Gimbal Bearing Grease)

In MerCruiser School that year they told us that using 2-4-C with Teflon in gimbal bearings or U-joints would cause the bearings to “skate” and ruin them. It looks like you have spent 20 years proving them wrong.
Still I think I will continue to recommend Universal-Joint & Gimbal Bearing Grease

Nope, I didn't prove them wrong, I'm just good at preparing ahead of time.

Yes, I missed the bulletin - I'm guessing 1994. I had a subscription for new bulletins for several years but they stopped well before '94. (I'm not a dealer, just do my own work whenever possible)

Back in the day I bought a package of several 2-4-C tubes and I still have 1 tube left. So, I never transitioned over to the teflon stuff.

That really pi$$ses me off now. You buy something and do it by the "book" only to have them change later on with no notification. I guess they want you to fail so you buy new, and they certainly don't like do-it-yourselfers.

Thanks for the info - forewarned is prepared.

 

[pullin]

For those who've paid a shop to do this, how much is it likely to cost? I'm a little unsure how to R&R the entire outdrive (Alpha 1 Gen 1, 1988). I replace the lube oil myself, and remove the lower to replace the impeller, but I'm still a little apprehensive about pulling the entire unit to reach the U-joints. I figure I'll get it done along with new bellows this fall. Thanks for any replies/guesses on the repair cost.

 

[JimS123]

If you can replace the impeller you can do a u-joint lube. Pretty easy - 1/2 hour. Get a manual and follow the steps. I'd guess $100.

Bellows is another story. That takes experience - best left to a pro.