Dark colored drive shaft and black looking grease

[badrano]

The last 2 seasons when I pull the outdrive for winterizing, to me it seems that the drive shaft has changed color and gotten darker. Also the grease is really black compared to the fresh grease color of green.
I just don't seem to remember this in previous years. Is this normal or is it a sign of something going "bad"?

 

[Fun Times]

The last 2 seasons when I pull the outdrive for winterizing, to me it seems that the drive shaft has changed color and gotten darker. Also the grease is really black compared to the fresh grease color of green.
I just don't seem to remember this in previous years. Is this normal or is it a sign of something going "bad"?

Might need a photo of this if possible...

 

[Chris1956]

When you say grease do you mean gear oil (it is known in certain circles as grease) or grease on the driveshaft, or what?

 

[badrano]

When you say grease do you mean gear oil (it is known in certain circles as grease) or grease on the driveshaft, or what?

I mean grease. I put/use the same grease used for the gimble bearing on the shaft and splines.
Previous seasons, the grease still had a green tint to it. These past 2 seasons, it's been really more black with no real green tint to it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

it's been really more black with no real green tint to it.

when the grease does its job between two objects, in this case gear spline on the shaft and hub. it will turn black.

just like grease does in gear boxes, etc.

as the motor runs, there is a slight bit of run-out of the shaft and coupler. the grease is doing its job between the two bits of metal sliding together and breaks down.

so clean off the shaft and coupler, re-grease it and go boating.

 

[Scott06]

I mean grease. I put/use the same grease used for the gimble bearing on the shaft and splines.
Previous seasons, the grease still had a green tint to it. These past 2 seasons, it's been really more black with no real green tint to it.

I usually use Lucas red N Tacky and it always comes out black. The grease you are using now may not be the same formulation despite the product being the same label, also yo may have gotten more hours in.

As long as the alignment is good and keep it greased it will last decades.

 

[Lou C]

For splines I am still using Evinrude Triple Guard which is an excellent great for that purpose, it does come out darker when I pull the drive in the fall but not black. In the gimble bearing and ujoints I use Lucas Marine (blue, same color as Triple Guard) and there the grease stays bluish green.
The main thing here is that you are doing yearly inspections and lubrication. It's too bad that for I/Os this involves pulling the drive but it is what it is. We all do it as DIYers but many owners don't and wind up paying the price $$$$.

 

[Scott Danforth]

At work we use John Deere cornhead grease in the gearboxes we make. its and extreme pressure thixotropic and works great for splines and worm gears and wont drip out the seals. it goes in snot green, comes out tar black after only a few hours of run-time.

 

[badrano]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Just wanted to be sure nothing weird was going on.