Do these u-joints need to be changed - Bravo III [PIC]

[Kronoss]

1995 Mercruiser Bravo 3

When I turn right and left, my outdrive does the classic grinding noise.
I took out the outdrive, there was some water in the u-joint bellow, and the u-joints where covered in water.

The gimbal bearing seemed brand new, smooth & no play. I changed it anyway.
So, it seems gimbal bearing is fine, does it mean the u-joints are not good?
How can i tell if they are good/bad ?

I have attached some pics to this post, so you can see how they look.

If the u-joints do need to be changed, how is that done?

Thanks!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Do these u-joints need to be changed - Bravo III [PIC]

If you had noise when turning, and the gimbal was smooth, it's your u-joints. That's how you tell.
Oh, that and the fact that your u-joints have been exposed to/sitting in to water, are RUSTY, and there appears to be nasty water contanminated grease coming out of them!

 

[Kronoss]

Re: Do these u-joints need to be changed - Bravo III [PIC]

how do you remove the u-joints from the drive shaft thing.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Do these u-joints need to be changed - Bravo III [PIC]

i replaced mine for much less rust than that... ya need to fix the cause of the water intrusion too.

a ujoint press helps a lot for removal. got me a cheap one at harbor frieght that amazingly has worked well... that and a service manual. http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/srvcovr.pdf
look at #11...

 

[Don S]

Re: Do these u-joints need to be changed - Bravo III [PIC]

You not only need new ujoints, you also need a new bellow and gimbal bearing. I would also recommend you pull the ujoint assembly out of the outdrive, and replace the seal and possibly the yoke the seal rides on. It will be rusty like the ujoints and damage the seal, then you will have gear lube leaking out of the drive, and into the bellows. Not good.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Do these u-joints need to be changed - Bravo III [PIC]

ill second DonS.
its a good way to destroy an upper housing if the input seal surface or seal is damaged.

 

[Kronoss]

Re: Do these u-joints need to be changed - Bravo III [PIC]

thanks all for your inputs.