New to the sterndrive world.....

[JaseBosto]

hey there.
So as you can see by my signature, I have a 2000 Stingray 180RX with a 3.0 I/O Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 2 outdrive. There is nothing wrong with it....yet.
I happy left the world of outboards. So, I have a few questions:
1. If any of the bellows were to start leaking, how would I know?
2. If they did start leaking and you don't know, would the u-joint(s) in there corrode and then what happens?

I have had the boat out 2 times this spring already and all seems well, just want to know everything I can know about this drive.

 

[achris]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

hey there.
So as you can see by my signature, I have a 2000 Stingray 180RX with a 3.0 I/O Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 2 outdrive. There is nothing wrong with it....yet.
I happy left the world of outboards.

You poor, misguided fool...

So, I have a few questions:
1. If any of the bellows were to start leaking, how would I know?

Water would start getting into the boat.

2. If they did start leaking and you don't know, would the u-joint(s) in there corrode and then what happens?

Yes, and they would have to be replaced. Also the gimabl bearing would get water in it and need replacing.

I have had the boat out 2 times this spring already and all seems well, just want to know everything I can know about this drive.

Part of the annual maintenance is to remove the drive and inspect the bellows. Bellows don't usually fail spontaneously, they wear through or deteriorate, and regular inspection should find them before they fail.

Chris........

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

Geesh Achris i think the poor fella has lost his way! hehe I'm not sure how happy i am in the sterndrive world yet. lol You? Can be a dark cruel world at times. Can i suggest getting any previous maint. records and things done from previous owner. Like when the water pump impeller was done? Bellows done? tuned up? U-joints greased? Gimble bearing replaced? Any of this info would help know where you stand. If you can't get that info i'd tune it up, change the oil, pull the drive and grease/inspect joints, gimble bearing and bellows, change impeller, change drive oil, grease steering, check fluids(drive, PS) and go boating. (Dont forget the transom drain plug) Good luck welcome to the outdrive world.

 

[Bondo]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

just want to know everything I can know about this drive.

Ayuh,.... Pretty much Everything ya gotta know is Right Here....

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

So far I like MY stern drive better because of these reasons:
1. WAY quiter than all my outboards by far
2. It's four stoke so, need I say more?
3. 3.0 Mercruiser parts are cheap....especially parts for the 3.0 itself.
4. to me, working on this thing, even though all I did was tune up the motor, is way easier than working on an outboard. The physical part of working on it may be more difficult because I have to lean into the engine compartment, but the mental part is easier. On my pervious junk outboards, everything is packed so tightly, it can be intimidating.

 

[45Auto]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

Welcome to the world of bellows and automotive engines, Bootstrap!

I'm like you, most enjoyable thing I ever did in boating was to get away from outboards.

You should pull the outdrive once each year to check the bellows for leaks and lube the u-joints.

The bellows should be changed every 3 to 5 years depending on how brave you are. If you don't know how old they are on your 10 year old boat change them now!!!!

A leaking bellows will corrode the u-joints and gimbal bearing. You'll hear and feel a grinding sound. It will also corrode the input shaft to the outdrive, ruining the seal. This will suck water into the outdrive and ruin it!

Hopefully you get the idea that proper maintenance on the bellows is a good thing!!

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

If you can't get that info i'd tune it up, change the oil, pull the drive and grease/inspect joints, gimble bearing and bellows, change impeller, change drive oil, grease steering, check fluids(drive, PS) and go boating. (Dont forget the transom drain plug) Good luck welcome to the outdrive world.

How hard is it to pull the outdrive?

 

[achris]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

How hard is it to pull the outdrive?

Dead easy...

1. Put in forward gear.
2. If fitted, disconnect speedo pickup tube.
3. Remove AFT trim ram anchor pin.
4. Remove 6 nuts holding leg to bell housing.
5. Pull leg back towards you... Careful, it's heavy!

Chris........

Go to the ADULTS ONLY section at the top of this forum and download the service manuals for your engine and drive....

 

[fishinpa]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

And dont forget , going back in you will need an alignment tool before cramming that drive back in there !

So if you are going to pull it you may want to see if you can locate a tool ahead of time .....


fish

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

Dead easy...

1. Put in forward gear.
2. If fitted, disconnect speedo pickup tube.
3. Remove AFT trim ram anchor pin.
4. Remove 6 nuts holding leg to bell housing.
5. Pull leg back towards you... Careful, it's heavy!

Chris........

Go to the ADULTS ONLY section at the top of this forum and download the service manuals for your engine and drive....

And after I pull it, I can look inside and see what? I assume the u-joint is on the part of the drive I am pulling. Is the re-install portion using an alignment tool similar with a clutch job on a car? I am very mechanically inclined but haven't but laid eyes on a stern drive till now.

 

[mciaio]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

When you pull the drive, you will have a shaft with 2 u-joints in it come off with the drive. You will see the gimbal bearing still in the boat. The shaft runs through it. The bellows surround the u-joints. You have two bellows; one for u-joint shaft and one for exhaust. If you see any water or signs of rust it would be wise to replace the bellows, u-joints and gimbal bearing.

I may be wrong here, but I have only used an alignment tool after replacing the gimbal bearing. When I just R&R the drive, i just slap it back in. The alignment tool is very similar to a clutch tool.

 

[180shabah]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

Have you downloaded the manuals yet? Days of reading there, but just about all the info you'll need.

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

Have you downloaded the manuals yet? Days of reading there, but just about all the info you'll need.

Yes I have. I am kinda seeking the Alpha 1 gen 2 experinced what to do's here.

 

[achris]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

If you see water in the exhaust bellows, don't worry, that's normal. The bellows you don't want to see water is the UNI-JOINT bellows.

C........

 

[mciaio]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

If you see water in the exhaust bellows, don't worry, that's normal. The bellows you don't want to see water is the UNI-JOINT bellows.

C........

Yeah, good point I missed that. Hell... you don't even really need exhaust bellows.

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

If you see water in the exhaust bellows, don't worry, that's normal. The bellows you don't want to see water is the UNI-JOINT bellows.

C........

Thanks for pointing that out. I probably would have used the common sense factor but......maybe not......

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

So I pulled the outdrive today, and everything looked great. I put it back together. It wasn't "super easy" but not that bad. Would have been easier with 2 people. All the oils have been changed, looks like I am ready for the season.

 

[180shabah]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

Alignment???

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

Alignment???

It appears I only need an alignment tool when replaceing gimbal bearing. Went together rather easily, would have been easier with 2 people.

 

[180shabah]

Re: New to the sterndrive world.....

Not even close to correct. You check alignment EVERY year when you take the drive off.