Chipped a tooth...

[chewy7097h]

While removing my u-joints this evening, I somehow managed to chip a couple teeth of of the retainer nut - part is Sierra 18-3752. Now that the teeth are chipped off, I have plenty of room to get the new u-joints in. The upper housing wasn't damaged at all. Should I replace this part, or can I leave it with chipped teeth? The teeth chipped all the way back to the housing itself...

1987 Merc 120 (GM 2.5), Alpha 1.

 

[Don S]

Re: Chipped a tooth...

Found out a hammer and screwdrive didn't work I see.

If you didn't get it to move, and you don't have the tools to re-install it and check rolling torque and do the job properly, why worry about it.

 

[chewy7097h]

Re: Chipped a tooth...

Unfortunately, I have a feeling that my excuse is even dumber than that. I never even tried to remove the retainer. It looked like there was enough room to get the u-joint press in there and press the caps out. As I was pressing the joints out, the coupler pressed into the inside of the teeth. Ended up chipping two teeth off completely. I certainly don't have the tools / know how to remove the retainer and properly reinstall everything... My curiosity is whether or not this will cause other problems. Sounds like not.

 

[Coors]

Re: Chipped a tooth...

Found out a hammer and screwdrive didn't work I see.

If you didn't get it to move, and you don't have the tools to re-install it and check rolling torque and do the job properly, why worry about it.

The man knows us shade-trees good, hehe
We learn after the first f---up.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Chipped a tooth...

No....It will not cause a problem. Run it.

 

[chewy7097h]

Re: Chipped a tooth...

Sounds good...

And yes, as a shade-tree, I have first rate experience at f-ing things up!

Thanks for the help.

Matt

 

[Don S]

Re: Chipped a tooth...

It can cause a problem if there are several teeth in a row broke off flush with the outdirve housing where the big quad ring (a - rubber gasket) in the drawing below) is. It will allow the quad ring to push out of place and allow water into the bellows. Which will kill the gimbal bearing, ujoints, and allow water into your drive.

 

[chewy7097h]

Re: Chipped a tooth...

It is one tooth on each side, about 120 degrees from each other. The spots where it is broken off flush are only about 1/4 - 1/2 inch on each side...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Chipped a tooth...

Ayuh,.....

That might be reason enough to Glue the big 0-ring into the bellhousing, Before the drive is reinstalled....

 

[chewy7097h]

Re: Chipped a tooth...

This is starting to sound like one of those duct tape / bailing wire repairs I have done in the past.

Should I send it over to the shop and have the retainer replaced? I'm about sick of water getting in there - it's a long story, but last year, I had bellows / gimbal bearing replaced. A week later, the u-joint bellow popped off - back to the shop for warranty repair - everything replaced again. When I opened it up to replace the u-joints yesterday, I found MORE water in the u-joint bellow along with a torn gasket between the drive and bell housing.

I have a few other problems too, including what I think is a bent ear on my u-joint shaft, water in my drive lube, and now these chipped teeth (because of my own ignorance).

The silver lining is that after many hours of work last year, I've got the engine running great and it only has 245 hours on it. Engines I can do - the whole marine outdrive thing is new to me though. I'm sure I'm still another $1000 or so away for being ready to run...

I love a good mess...

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Chipped a tooth...

If you have water in your gear lube after changing the bellows, you have bigger problems than that retainer ring.......
You need to drain & pressure test the drive to find the leak.....​

 

[JustJason]

Re: Chipped a tooth...

Whats great is when someone uses a prybar and hammer to try to spin the nut off... breaks every tooth but the 1, and then brings it to you asking you to take it off!!

 

[chewy7097h]

Re: Chipped a tooth...

Well, I'm pretty good about knowing when I'm in over my head... Looks like I'm at that point. I think I'll stick it back together and head off to the shop - my wallet can use a good beating anyway...

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Chipped a tooth...

Frankly at this point I would make sure my bellows are good & think about getting a new SEI drive for $1200.00 with a three year warranty & bolting that on.....​

 

[chewy7097h]

Re: Chipped a tooth...

I'm actually considering getting an SEI drive - seems like the most sensible option at this point. The problem I have is that I found water in the u-joint bellow, but the bellow is brand new, not torn, no holes, attached properly. Before I go putting a new drive on, I need to determine the source of the water - best I can find is a torn gasket between the drive and bell housing - but it doesn't seem like that would allow water in to the u-joint bellow (or maybe I'm all wet - pun intended). Any alternatives I am missing with regards to where the water could be getting in at? Strangely enough, I've got NO water in the boat...

I sincerely appreciate everybody's help (and patience). This forum is probably one of the most thorough resources I've ever found for information and assistance.

Matt

 

[bomar76]

Re: Chipped a tooth...

Water can also enter via the bilge....there is a seal of sorts, but it's just really a dust seal.
If you let rainwater collect, forgot the plug, etc just once that would do it.

 

[chewy7097h]

Re: Chipped a tooth...

Dry as a bone in the bilge. Boat is garage stored. I further inspected the gasket and aside from the spot where it is torn in half, it is also split on the other side. I'll try to post a picture of it later. I am assuming that this is the source of the water, but I would rather get the opinion of the more experienced folks here than to simply trust myself...