OMC lower unit install procedure - Driveshaft

[Mad Mike]

Have 1988 Bayliner with 2.3L OMC I/O.<br />Removed the lower unit to greese bearing and u-joints. Tried everything and it will not go back in. U-joint coupling gets in the back seal, as far as I can get it. Rotate shaft, but no luck.

 

[RedRangerVIP]

Re: OMC lower unit install procedure - Driveshaft

Check out this link Mike. It might be what you are after <br /><br /> http://forums.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=015326

 

[Mad Mike]

Re: OMC lower unit install procedure - Driveshaft

Read thru, did not learn much. Took measurements today and determined that the driveshaft is stopping at the splined hole best I can tell. Tried moving u-joint coupler to different positions and rotating but still no luck. Would not think that it is alignment related as only removed the lower unit, Gimbal brg and splined coupler unchanged. Any other thoughts? What does the alignment bar look like and do? Used to align coupler and gimbal?

 

[RedRangerVIP]

Re: OMC lower unit install procedure - Driveshaft

Here is one from Ebay Mike. I'll break out my manual and see what I can find out for you. But , it sure sounds like the alignment is off.<br /><br />Type this # in the search box @ ebay.<br /> 4610649091

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: OMC lower unit install procedure - Driveshaft

This problem has been discussed more than once on this forum. I've had an '89 omc for going on 4 yrs now. We've had the drive off twice, and both times had a horrible time getting it back on.<br /><br />We found that the yoke (I think it's called) repeatedly got hung up on the "mouth" of the bellow which made it very difficult to keep the drive shaft going straight into the coupler.<br /><br />In the end it just came down to wiggling it just the right way and eventually it slipped right in.<br /><br />We used some motor oil on the yoke/bellow and of course had the driveshaft splines lubed as well.<br /><br /> http://forums.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=010204#000000

 

[seahorse5]

Re: OMC lower unit install procedure - Driveshaft

Originally posted by Liquid_force:<br /> This problem has been discussed more than once on this forum. <br /><br />We found that the yoke (I think it's called) repeatedly got hung up on the "mouth" of the bellow which made it very difficult to keep the drive shaft going straight into the coupler.<br /><br />

Years ago the then OMC changed the bellows opening so the u-joint assembly with fit thru easily. While the outdrive is off, it is fairly easy to install the new bellows and avoid all that tugging and pushing trying to install the driveshaft.

 

[Mad Mike]

Re: OMC lower unit install procedure - Driveshaft

Tried again tonight, no luck. I was able to slide a loop of wire down behind the motor and transom. When I pickup on the wire it catches the driveshaft and it moves a small amount at the entrance of the coupling but it will not slide forward. Believe it is probably hang on the coupling as indicated above. My next attack point.......thanks for the input.

 

[boatgrunt]

Re: OMC lower unit install procedure - Driveshaft

Seahorse - I have an 89 OMC as well. Just took the outdrive off and after reading this post, am anticipating the same problem. How much do the new bellows cost? Are they OMC bellows? Any more info would be appreciated.

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC lower unit install procedure - Driveshaft

It sounds like it's out of alignment to me. If you pull the drive off and the engine drops only slightly, the alignment will be off. The front mount or rear mounts could go bad/soft and cause the problem. That is why the alignment is check each time the drive is pulled. So you find the problem early before you have to pull the engine and replace the coupler.

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: OMC lower unit install procedure - Driveshaft

Originally posted by boatgrunt:<br /> Seahorse - I have an 89 OMC as well. Just took the outdrive off and after reading this post, am anticipating the same problem. How much do the new bellows cost? Are they OMC bellows? Any more info would be appreciated.

I'm buying this transom service kit when we get the boat out this spring. I'm assuming it contains all the most recent parts.<br /><br /> U-joint bellow only

 

[Mad Mike]

Re: OMC lower unit install procedure - Driveshaft

Tired again and was sucessful. Used oil on the u-joint coupling and seal surface on end of the driveshaft bellows. A new bellows may have made it easlier if they have a larger opening for the coupole to slide through. Seems like you hit the seal the same time the splines have to be rotated to engage. Very frustrating and tough assembly. Glad it is behind me. Good luck to those that follow.

 

[rybad]

Re: OMC lower unit install procedure - Driveshaft

I "HAD" THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM with my twin '89 Cobra outdrives.<br /><br />It literally took me and two guys about two hours to basically force the drive back on. The following year, I replaced the drive shaft bellow with the new style, and I now can put the drive on myself in about 5 minutes!! The new bellow makes 100% difference. You can get them online fairly cheap.. I use www.ebasicpower.com <br /><br />-David

 

[seahorse5]

Re: OMC lower unit install procedure - Driveshaft

Originally posted by boatgrunt:<br /> Seahorse - I have an 89 OMC as well. Just took the outdrive off and after reading this post, am anticipating the same problem. How much do the new bellows cost? Are they OMC bellows? Any more info would be appreciated.

the factory bellows is part number 3854127 and is available from any Johnson-Evinrude dealer for $54.70

 

[King P.V.]

Re: OMC lower unit install procedure - Driveshaft

Orginally, OMC discovered that there was no clearence for the u-joint coupler to slide past the bellows. Compounded by cold weather where the bellows was stiffer and well..... it could be a B*#*ch to get past the initial opening... OMC then made the specs. .030" larger to account for the problems and most of those units are ezier to get on. Short of replacing the bellows, I'd suggest using a warm hair dryer to make the bellows softer, spray a light oil on the u-joint coupler, install the prop, put it in gear (the O.D. and the control box) and turn the prop so that water-pump impellor rotates correctly and with steady pressure (usually your chest) it should go on, Alignment really is a different concedrn and SHOULD be checked.

 

[King P.V.]

Re: OMC lower unit install procedure - Driveshaft

Dang, I'm a cadet once more!!!

 

[lakelivin]

Re: OMC lower unit install procedure - Driveshaft

Do you have a drive holder or are you trying to 'muscle' the drive when you try to get it back on? I built a drive holder and can slide it on & off easily by myself. Might not solve your alignment or bellows problem (if that's what it is), but sure makes it easier to manipulate the u-joint while you try t slide it through the bellows, or see what other problems you might be encountering.<br /><br />Don't have the link handy, but there was a good thread on homemade drive stands in this section. You should be able to find it using the search function if you're interested....

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: OMC lower unit install procedure - Driveshaft

Howdy all, <br /><br />I am going to be doing the same thing with my King Cobra soon. I am going to build the plywood drive stand similar to the one that Don S showed in a prvious post. I'll take it a little further and connect it to my lawn tractor jack so I can jack it up or down as needed so I can put it back on easily (After I check the alignment of course!) <br /><br />I bought a jack a couple years ago for about $80 from Costco similar to this one to work on my lawn tractor:<br /><br /> ATV Jack <br /> <br />It should make it easy to "muscle" around!<br /><br />Regards, <br /><br /><br />Rick