volvo SX drive u-joint and bellows

[shepnuts]

Does anyone have any advice for a new boat owner attempting to remove this drive and inspect the u joints? i have perused previous threads and found some interesting info, but no pics or diagrams. anybody have any input?

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: volvo SX drive u-joint and bellows

It's pretty bulky and cumbersome. I removed mine (drive) with the help of my son, but next time I will have a stand built before I remove it.

The removal and inspection is really simple. Just remember to remove the shift cable before you start loosening the six nuts that hold on the drive. You don't want the drive off the studs with the cable still attached (damhik )

Look up in the adults only sticky at the top of the forum and download your manual. It explains the job fully.

If you don't know how old your U-joint bellows are, I'd go ahead and replace them while the drive is off. Try to find an alignment tool while your at it and check your alignment. They are usually pretty cheap on ebay.

Sorry, no pics, but the owners manual I mentioned earlier has plenty of them.

Good luck.

 

[familyguy]

Re: volvo SX drive u-joint and bellows

This might be some useful info., pics included.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=388927

Good idea to change at least the U joint bellows like sparkinator recommended.

Good luck

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: volvo SX drive u-joint and bellows

Build a drive stand! Use some 2 by 4's and old lawnmower wheels it will sure make life easier

 

[shepnuts]

Re: volvo SX drive u-joint and bellows

Thank you so much for all of the helpful input! I plan to tackle this job today, and I will post up the results. Thanks again!

 

[shepnuts]

Re: volvo SX drive u-joint and bellows

1 more question, should I start by ordering the engine alignment tool 1st? If I only plan to remove the leg and not the engine, is this necessary? I am not sure that I will have to remove the bearing, but it seems as though you must re-align if the bearing comes out. If I only service the u-joints, is alignment necesary?

 

[83Evinrude]

Re: volvo SX drive u-joint and bellows

1 more question, should I start by ordering the engine alignment tool 1st?

Yes

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: volvo SX drive u-joint and bellows

Maybe it's just me, but when I bought my boat last year, I realized that I didn't know much about how the boat had been maintained and figured I would inspect/replace just as the owners manual recommended.

The u-joint bellows should be replaced periodically and not knowing hold old mine was, why not spend the $50 for peace of mind and have a starting point for future reference of when to replace it. With the drive off to grease the gimbel bearing and replace the bellows, it would be foolish not to check the alignment while the drive was off, so it seemed like a no brainer. They are about 35 bucks on ebay so I bought one.

All fluids and filters needed to be changed anyway so this year, starting out the season, everything that the service manual recommends checking is taken care of. We've been out 5 times this year skiing, and it runs like a dream. If something on my boat failed because of a lack of routine maintenance on my part and I couldn't afford to replace it, I would be sick. My kids ask me everyday when we can go to the lake. If I deprived them of that for the sake of a 35 dollar maintenance item, I would feel like a HEEL.

End of rant.

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: volvo SX drive u-joint and bellows

I have a photo of my drive stand didnt take long and use the trailer jack to adjust the height

 

[shepnuts]

Re: volvo SX drive u-joint and bellows

So i finally got around to taking the leg off. I have been hearing a strange rubbing/grinding sound from the leg when in gear at 2500rpm throttle, and when turning hard right.I assumed it must be the u joints or bearing. Took the leg off, and the u joints look good. However, there is rust on the shaft that looks to be on the engine side of the gimbal bearing. I can see all the way back in to where it stops, and there is some rust there also. My question is how can water get in back there? There doesnt appear to be any water in the bellows. The part of the shaft and the u joints that are covered by the bellows looks good, like it never came into contact with salt water. What i assume is the gimbal bearing (the first bearing with the spline grooves) spins freely with my finger and looks great. Could it be the rubber coupler causing the sound? I cant see it well, but it could have some wear. Is this a problem that I might be able to address myself, or take it to the dealer? Any help is appreciated!

 

[familyguy]

Re: volvo SX drive u-joint and bellows

Does this sound occur ONLY when in gear or turning? Regarding rust on the tapered/splined end of your drive shaft beyond the o rings- water can get to that area if your bilge area/engine compartment has regular moisture present. If rust is between the o rings and yoke moisture is/has been present in your u joint bellows but it doesn't sound like this is the case.

What i assume is the gimbal bearing (the first bearing with the spline grooves)

Your gimbal bearing shouldn't have splined grooves. This bearing sits inside the gimbal housing that's attached to the transom. Is this the bearing you're talking about?

 

[shepnuts]

Re: volvo SX drive u-joint and bellows

Does this sound occur ONLY when in gear or turning? Regarding rust on the tapered/splined end of your drive shaft beyond the o rings- water can get to that area if your bilge area/engine compartment has regular moisture present. If rust is between the o rings and yoke moisture is/has been present in your u joint bellows but it doesn't sound like this is the case.



Your gimbal bearing shouldn't have splined grooves. This bearing sits inside the gimbal housing that's attached to the transom. Is this the bearing you're talking about?

Ya, thats the one. I was confused when i posted this. I believe the spline grooves are in the coupler, correct? I cannot for the life of me figure out where the problem lies. Both the bearing and u joints spin freely with no rubbing or resistance or sound. I have, however, had trouble getting the alignment tool to go all the way in. I definitely dont want to pull that bearing out if not needed. I just dont know how to tell if the u joints or bearing are bad if there is no noticable problem to look at or feel.

Yes, the problem ONLY happens when i increase the throttle to around 2500rpms in gear.

 

[familyguy]

Re: volvo SX drive u-joint and bellows

I believe the spline grooves are in the coupler, correct?

Yep, correct, closely inspect the condition of these splines as well as the ones on the drive shaft. It's kind of hard to see/get in the coupler but clean as much grease as possible off the inside of this by using some long thin tool with a grease rag secured to it. If the splines are ground down (look at the old grease your cleaning off, metal slivers in it?) this could be part of the problem.

I have, however, had trouble getting the alignment tool to go all the way in.

Could be two reasons:
1)Your gimbal bearing is sitting in there cockeyed. It can happen if the drive is removed too forcefully. Measure from the edge of the outer race of the gimbal bearing to the edge of the gimbal bore at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions. Hafta pull the u joint bellows off to do it.

2)Your alignment is off. This could also be part of the problem. I aligned my drive for the 1st time a week ago. Took about 6 hours total just for the alignment; climbed in and out of the boat about 70 times. Once you get it aligned you need to check alignment again with the crankshaft in the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions before your aligned properly. Check posts on how to properly align and the sticky Don S posted in the ADULTS ONLY section on this.

Yes, the problem ONLY happens when i increase the throttle to around 2500rpms in gear.

Sometimes problems seem drive related when they're not. At this point I'm just trying to help you decide if this problem is in the engine or the drive so what I would do is: put it back together if your SURE the u-joints, gimbal bearing, flywheel coupler, and alignment are all in proper order, take it to the boat ramp since I'm not sure water pressure from a hose is sufficient to support water flow at that RPM. Rev up the RPM's to 2500 WITHOUT IT IN GEAR and see if you get the same noise. If you don't, put it in gear and cruise around making precise notations of when the sound is reproduced (turns?, WOT or specific RPM?)