Can I grease gimball zerc while boat is in the lake

[CayugaCobalt]

I know this isnt the right way, but can I attach the grease gun nozzle (pumped full of grease) to the zerc on my Bravo 3 outdrive, and add additional grease to the gimball. I thought i gave it a couple pumps in the fall winterization, but want to see if more grease will quiet down a chuffing noise the forum has already ID's as gimball.

 

[Bt Doctur]

no amount of grease will quiet down a bad bearing from water intrusion or severe mis-alignment, but removing the drive is highly recommended at winterization to inspect everything else and grease the U joints if applicable

 

[CayugaCobalt]

Understood, I am presuming no water intrusion based on bellows inspecation and lack of water in boat nor mis alignment and do not know if and how much additional grease pumps are needed each year. Is it a closed system that needs zero or does it need ten and I only gave it 2 or 3 because I read somewhere people tend to over grease.

THere is also a zerc on the inside near the drive shaft i just found and have never greased becuase it is impossible to reach w std gun tip but now trying to get to w new 90 deg tip.

 

[CayugaCobalt]

Definitely could be U joints too, so this is one last attempt before borrowing a buddies truck, going back to the marina and starting all over.

 

[Scott06]

Definitely could be U joints too, so this is one last attempt before borrowing a buddies truck, going back to the marina and starting all over.

This is your best bet, pull drive and inspect. as Mentioned adding grease wont do anything if bearing is bad. The zero near the drive shaft is for the coupler .
I do an out 5-6 pumps a hear on these. Over-greasing can hurt the bearings as the grease build up will insulate the bearing . This is theoretically the reason for perma lube bearings. I just replaced the original non greaseable ujoints on my alpha gen 2. They were roached at 350 hrs, never had any water in them. One or two crosses on each were severely worn and grease in these cups was black. other crosses grease looked good… cant help but think that if they were grease able they would still be fine. I was chasing a shudder I felt when trimming in under load for last two seasons.… joints by hand felt fine

 

[CayugaCobalt]

To answer my own question, yes one can grease a zerc that is underwater. I did it, didnt help much, maybe a scooch, as predicted, but didnt hurt either. Still not sure I got any grease in the coupler on drive shaft using new 90 flex tip. This zerc is begging for a relocation or extension to make it serviceable on the 1997 7,4L. I need like a micro sized grease gun tip to get on there.


If it floats, flies or "you know" its going to give a man trouble.

 

[Bondo]

This zerc is begging for a relocation or extension to make it serviceable on the 1997 7,4L. I

Ayuh,..... Not a good idea, as it spins at engine rpms,......

I've got a 4' hose on my grease gun, to reach such places,....

 

[airshot]

All the issues in greasing is a way of the unit telling you, " take off the out drive winter for a thorough inspection and greasing then you have nothing to worry about each season. With the out drive off, you can see when the bearings are filled and running over as well as getting a good feel with your fingers.

 

[Scott06]

To answer my own question, yes one can grease a zerc that is underwater. I did it, didnt help much, maybe a scooch, as predicted, but didnt hurt either. Still not sure I got any grease in the coupler on drive shaft using new 90 flex tip. This zerc is begging for a relocation or extension to make it serviceable on the 1997 7,4L. I need like a micro sized grease gun tip to get on there.


If it floats, flies or "you know" its going to give a man trouble.

That one I usually bump the engine until zirc is on a spot where you can get at it with grease gun with a hose on it

I usually grease the gimbal when the boat is just out of water on the hoist and have it idling to get grease through out bearing when it’s moving

 

[flashback]

The spline fitting is a tough one to get to. If you pull your drive often enough then spline grease is not a problem. Just grease the splines when you re-install the drive.

 

[crazy charlie]

To answer my own question, yes one can grease a zerc that is underwater. I did it, didnt help much, maybe a scooch, as predicted, but didnt hurt either. Still not sure I got any grease in the coupler on drive shaft using new 90 flex tip. This zerc is begging for a relocation or extension to make it serviceable on the 1997 7,4L. I need like a micro sized grease gun tip to get on there.

You should grease all fittings as soon as your boat is hauled for the seasons end .Just a couple of pumps is short cutting an important step but it’s still better than not greasing. 5 or 6 pumps is my minimum. Do the same prior to spring launch after getting it running after a winter snooze. Charlie

 

[CayugaCobalt]

Ayuh,..... Not a good idea, as it spins at engine rpms,......

I've got a 4' hose on my grease gun, to reach such places,....

Thanks. I have a long enough hose, its the tip diameter hitting the housing.