Volvo SX-M u-joint / driveshaft replacement - which path?

[Alumin8]

I recently purchased a 2000 Four Winns 230 Horizon bowlder with a 7.4 Gi and SX-M DP combo. It runs perfectly, at least it did until I was attempting to dock it stern first in a slip. That was my first rodeo for stern-in docking and it seems that I tweaked the u-joints or gimbal in all of the fwd/reverse action (high side winds made this a nightmare). At any rate, I've gone from a noise-free outdrive to the common knocking at extreme lock (either direction) with no noise more central.
As this is a new-to-me boat, I am planning to pull the outdrive and replace the gimbal and drive shaft / joints, as well as bellows, lower unit fluid/leakdown test, etc.

My question is this: while I believe from researching this forum that I can likely replace the u-joint spider, I can obtain a brand new VP driveshaft assembly for $250 or so. The engine side of the driveshaft obviously slips out freely but what of the outdrive side? Is that major surgery to remove that end? I don't have a ton of free time so I am trying to figure the path of least resistance to this replacement. Any thoughts are appreciated!

Scott (Wisconsin)

 

[evantful]

No Title

Hi Scott,

It depends on which shaft you have. With the DP-SM drive Volvo transitioned from the earlier 'Rockwell' design, which has the C-clips on the inside, to the newer GKN design that has the C-clips on the outside.

The Rockwell model has serviceable spiders, atleast Volvo intended for them to be serviceable. Refer to picture 1

The GKN was only meant to be replaced as a complete unit. Some have listed the spider that can be replaced and have the part numbers for it, but Ive read about mixed results. Refer to picture 2

If you have the GKN or decide to replace the entire Rockwell shaft, rolling torque will be need to be set, which if you don't have past experience may be tricky. Its definitely a much more involved process replacing the whole U-Joint shaft on the drive end

If you have the Rockwell design, you are probably better off just replacing the spiders. I have a DP-SM drive with a Rockwell shaft from a 1999 Cobalt and the U-Joint developed a very minor vibration 2 years ago. I replaced just the spiders and had good success (also did the Gimbal at the same time). One thing to do is with a marker or nail polish mark how the shaft pieces of the joint connected to each, so you put them back together in the same orientation.

One thing too, because you have the 7.4 make sure to use the OEM Spider Volvo Parts. Some of the aftermarket spiders from companies like Sierra used a lighter duty spider, which for maybe the 4.3 and 5.0 models would be perfectly fine, but the 7.4 can lay down a lot of torque and failure of the spider might be higher. Volvo's were much more robust.

 

[Senior B]

Got to say that doing some backing at the dock isn't going mess up your u-joints. Far more app to do something like that running the motor with drive up all the way. I would shoot a good bit of grease in the gimbal bearing and see if it doesn't quiet down. Most boats will do a slight low growl when the drive is turned to the stops. It's never a bad idea to remove the drive each year to inspect things but I doubt you messed up anything by moving the wheel quickly back and forth. The drive shaft only spins one way too. Good luck.