1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

Also does anyone know how to diagnose the steering issue im having? I turn left easy but when I try to turn right the out-drive ALMOST centers but then the wheel just stops? I cant even pull the out-drive over by hand. Bad steering actuator? Steering cable? Where to start...

 

[achris]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

Remove the pin holding the steering arm (the one that goes to the drive) to the actuator. Check to see if the drive moves freely. If it does, pull the cable out of the actuator and see if the steering works ok. One of those 3 items will be the problem. It's just a matter of isolating which one.

BTW, you can't pull the drive by hand because of the power steering actuator, that's the way it's designed.

Chris.....

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

Remove the pin holding the steering arm (the one that goes to the drive) to the actuator. Check to see if the drive moves freely. If it does, pull the cable out of the actuator and see if the steering works ok. One of those 3 items will be the problem. It's just a matter of isolating which one.

BTW, you can't pull the drive by hand because of the power steering actuator, that's the way it's designed.

Chris.....

Thanks Chris!



And thanks to everyone else also who has responded! Gotta get this thing workin!

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

Ok got the whole drive out now, At first I tried to remove the lower again and got it cracked free on the front of it. But the back end still wont come free, attempting to split it slowly with a small prybar and rubber mallet got me some more but the very back of it still wont come free. So i just went back to removing the whole drive.

The splines on the motor side appear in great shape and have no chips or bends in them. But it was BONE dry ZERO grease maybe that is why it was so hard to get out. The bellows for it looks good also.

Checked the gimble and it is also in great shape and well greased.

Shifter cable is defentally dead. But with the drive out I was able to manually shift and it did engage.

Also think I need a new steering cable that also apears seized. I had to remove the powersteering lines to release the pressure so I could manually move the outdrive. I tried removing the steering cable first but it was stuck so when I manually moved the drive it poped free. Tried to find one but still not sure which one i need. Anyone link me?

Here is the biggie. The lower unit has some chips on the mating surface How much will this affect its water tightness?

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

Heres some photos.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

Heres some photos.

Pictures 3 and 4 seem to show water in the bellows; is that correct?

You mentioned in post #44 that the ujoint bellows looked ok but unless you can explain the water, might want to check further.



Mark

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

Pictures 3 and 4 seem to show water in the bellows; is that correct?

You mentioned in post #44 that the ujoint bellows looked ok but unless you can explain the water, might want to check further.



Mark

Cant explain it. But the Ujoints appear in great condition with no corrosion or rust.

Any idea if the chips in the lower unit will affect it?

 

[thumpar]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

If you are talking about he surface between the upper and lower unit, that is not a water tight seal to start with.

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

If you are talking about he surface between the upper and lower unit, that is not a water tight seal to start with.

really? huh OK so im alittle less worried now but the lower is still STUCK.. I have gone over the manual 10 times and I did everything. It is just STUCK

 

[MarkSee]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

really? huh OK so im alittle less worried now but the lower is still STUCK.. I have gone over the manual 10 times and I did everything. It is just STUCK

I just want to make sure that you did take the trim tab anode off on the rear then took out the bolt underneath that?

If you turn the prop you can see the drive shaft turning? Maybe while doing that tap with a mallet?

Mark

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

I just want to make sure that you did take the trim tab anode off on the rear then took out the bolt underneath that?

If you turn the prop you can see the drive shaft turning? Maybe while doing that tap with a mallet?

Mark

Yea all bolts removed. I was just workin on it some more and it is now almost apart. you can no longer see the bolts in the holes but it is still stuck. Looks like the 0 ring on the driveshaft is like still inside the splines on 1/2 of it? so maybe that is one of the reasons.. Im not sure.. the more I try to pull this thing apart the more Im afraid how damaged it might be ugh.. Everything I watched and read showed it just dropping out.

 

[achris]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

Sometimes the dowels at each end of the housing get sticky and can make it difficult to get off. The trick is not to get it too 'cocked'. Just ease the front and rear evenly.

The like 'O' ring on the like splines caught in the like upper drive-shaft like... When you like re-assemble this like. Don't like put the like 'O' ring on like. The later drive-shafts like didn't even have a groove for it, like.... It's known to like cause problems like. Like the problems you're like having. And also like, it will hold the seal open like and let water into the splines, like. When you like get it apart, check the upper splines like for corrosion, like.....

I like you...

Chris........

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

yes yes my grammar is horrible. Thanks for rubbing it in.

:blue:

 

[achris]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

yes yes my grammar is horrible. Thanks for rubbing it in.

:blue:

Apart from the word 'like', your grammar is fine... I just get a little 'ranty' about that word, same as the Singaporeans using 'lah'... It has no meaning and is just fluff and padding for people who can't strong more than three words together at the same time.

Cheers and keep working on that drive...

Chris......

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

Lets talk about that bellows for the ujoints. It appears when you turn the housing to the right side 1 of the metal rings pops out and looks broken. Does not happen when you turn it left though. Maybe it poked a hole in the housing? I have to remove the gimbol housing anyway to do the shift cable replacement yes? Ca I use a big torx or do i HAVE to use a merc tool?

 

[achris]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

Lets talk about that bellows for the ujoints. It appears when you turn the housing to the right side 1 of the metal rings pops out and looks broken. Does not happen when you turn it left though. Maybe it poked a hole in the housing? I have to remove the gimbol housing anyway to do the shift cable replacement yes? Ca I use a big torx or do i HAVE to use a merc tool?

That's called a 'hole in the bellows' and they need to be replaced. No if, buts or maybes.... The gimbal housing stays on the boat, the bell-housing gets removed, and yes, for both jobs (though I have done a few shift cables without removing the bell-housing).

For the hinge pin removal you use either the Merc tool or a big Hex key, NOT Torx...

Chris......

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

got a friend who is gonna bring me a merc tool tomorrow morning.

Maybe I should also clarify on the metal ring. It moves inside the bellows, it does not pop out of the bellows if that makes sense?

 

[achris]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

You have water in the bellows? You have a hole somewhere. Replace it.

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

You have water in the bellows? You have a hole somewhere. Replace it.

Damn for a rubber hose they sure are expensive..

 

[achris]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

Damn for a rubber hose they sure are expensive..

Oh Yeah.... But not as expensive as the gimbal bearing and the unis...

(BTW, you're only paying $62, in Australia it's over $200!!!)