gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

[shadetreemech4767]

Hello folks ,I am new to this so, be gentle. I have a 1981 volvo aq145a/280 that I am cleaning up. I am looking at the top of the bellhousing and there seems to be what I think is the lubricator for the propellor shaft. How does this work? I have just aquired this boat and I am checking everything and also replacing the u-joints and bellows. Can someone help?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

Yes that's a grease cup.
You can replace it with a zerk fitting.Might be a metric fitting.
Lube it while it's running.10-12 pumps.Then a few once a month.Too much will blow the seals out but too little is way worse.
While your checkin??? Look inside the u-joint bellows for water or oil.(never mind that)
look at the hose under the bellows.The connector on the drive sometimes rots away.

 

[shadetreemech4767]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

Are you talking about where the u-joint bellows connects? It is corroded a little but I think it will not keep the bellows from sealing. There was some water in the u-joint bellows, I'm replacing the u-joints and bellows. So i guess I can just unscrew the lubricator and install a zerk. What grease do you use? The small water hose fitting looks good.

 

[shadetreemech4767]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

Is there any way to check the shaft bearing for excessive wear without pulling the motor? 1981 AQ145A / 280

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

Any marine grease.I use a GOOD lithium grease.
To check for play. Grab the end and if it moves it needs new bearings.It can be changed from the outside.It has a snap ring.If it's too corroded it will have to come out(motor).
Should be NO side to side play.J

 

[shadetreemech4767]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

So I guess I unbolt the flange on the back that has six bolts on it, right? Can I then access the snap ring and bearing?

 

[shadetreemech4767]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

I guess removing the bolts won't help. That just allows for engine removal. It says the bearing must be removed with a slide hammer. I guess I need someone to explain this procedure step by step, as I have never attempted this. Book says you have to remove the engine to change the bearing and seals.

 

[shadetreemech4767]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

I already have the upper gearcase removed. I'm staring at the driveshaft that has a seal surrounding it. I'm a very accomplished mechanic, I just need the procedure, so I don't end up tearing up something.

 

[shadetreemech4767]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

Side to side movement of the shaft is extremely little. Just barely moves from side to side. Is this normal? Or should the shaft be totally solid and not move at all from side to side? 1981 Volvo Penta AQ145A / 280

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

There should be NO play in the shaft so yes, the bearing should be replaced. According to the schematics, yours should have only 1 bearing and it looks like you can remove the shaft from the rear if you modify a pair of long nosed pliers for removing the snap ring.

If that bearing fails, the loose shaft will most likely damage the flywheel cover beyond repair, and will also most likely damage the flywheel damper (coupler) and other components. It's a critical componet so it's best to bite the bullet and repair it the right way. There are some of us that have seen the results of that bearing failing and it gets expensive real quick. Your question as to what that thing on top of the bellhousing (flywheel cover is the corect term in this case) helps explain why those bearings fail - it's not obvious and people just aren't sure what it is and what it's for. Instructions are attached.

View attachment Flywheel cover bearings.pdf

You can search the forum for things such as "upper gearbox". PDS bearing", "Primary Drive Shaft", flywheel cover bearings", etc. and you'll see that it's been discussed a few times.

 

[shadetreemech4767]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

then I should be able to see the snap ring when looking from the rear , with upper gearcase and u-joints removed?

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

then I should be able to see the snap ring when looking from the rear , with upper gearcase and u-joints removed?

After removing the rear seal and scraping out all the grease, yes you should. It's going to be a bear getting the snap ring out so be prepared. Do yourself a favor and get a good schematic so you understand exactly what you're looking at in there. You may need to buy a long needle nose pliers and grind the ends down to make a snap ring remover unless you've allready got one that will reach in that far.

 

[shadetreemech4767]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

Here is what I see. I can't seem to be able to spot a snap ring. I cleaned it well.
View attachment 110360 (1981 volvo AQ145A / 280) trying to change PDS bearing.

 

[shadetreemech4767]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

Thanks pp40!

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

From the schematic, there is a snap ring just on the other side of the outer seal. The seal sits on this snap ring. Then there will be an identical snap ring that sits in a groove in the flywheel housing and holds the shaft and bearing assembly in place by holding the outer bearing race/cage. Once you get the inner snap ring out, you can pull out the shaft with the bearing attached. May need to use a vicegrips on the shaft to pull it out.

 

[shadetreemech4767]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

Having some trouble with removing the seal first.

 

[shadetreemech4767]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

How about a body dent puller screwed into seal?

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

How about a body dent puller screwed into seal?

That should work. Much easier than drilling a hole and then putting a screw in there.

 

[shadetreemech4767]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

Okay, I'll try that. Thanks for all the help from everybody! 1981 Volvo Penta AQ145A / 280 PDS bearing replacement.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: gadget on top of bell housing, Lubricator?

That seal has a pretty tough steel washer in it so don't be afraid to really get into it. A long screwdriver will help to beat up on it enough to bend it and find a place to pry on it so you can get it out. There's nothing pretty or sophisticated about getting that seal out. Cuss words are an option and feel free to invent your own