Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

[Markov1985]

Wondering if anyone else found it hard to access nipple so i can grease gimble. Even with the flexable hose on the grease gun, its impossible to fit hose connection onto nipple with hose using approx another cm before it bends. I have attached photos to show what i mean. Engine is 5.7 volvo penta (carbie), outdrive is volvo penta cobra Sx. The only numbers i have to help with identifying model is Transom: 3868413 ( guessing 1997 since thats model of the boat, found this sticker on the engine) and on outdrive gear case it has 3868388. I purchased boat 2 months ago, been away for a month, used it twice, not sure if previouse owner greased inside there.
Manual says to take off whole outdrive, but its middle of summer here, so i will wait until winter before i attempt that, incase i have alot of work to do inside and need to order parts etc from the US (which usually takes 3-4 weeks from my experience and this boat was originally imported from US. Not many four winns here in Aus and the trailer has coupling used over there when i bought it, had to get it changed when i registered it over to my state)

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

Ayuh,... That sure is a Poorly designed transom, ain't it....

You could try putting a 90? elbow on the end of the grease hose, then the gun coupler...
Or,...
If that's a threaded zerk, pull it, 'n add an elbow to it...

 

[Markov1985]

Re: Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

Bond-o, if i pull off outdrive how they say and how ive seen through this website, will that hose connection interfier? Im confused because i thought gimbal bearing, shaft etc will all come out together as you seperate unit from engine like ive seen in photos. That part where the nipple is, stays attached to the boat if im correct. so the hose between the nipple and bearing would need to be disconnected or somthing? or am i confusing myself and bearing stays with engine?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

or am i confusing myself and bearing stays with engine?

Ayuh,... The shaft comes out with the drive, the gimbel bearing stays with the transom...

 

[Craig W]

Re: Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

Markov1985, I just ran into the same problem on my 1998 Fourwinns Horizon Qx... The SX drive is set into the transom such that you can't get at the zerk fitting with anything but a 90deg grease gun adapter. I thought it might be easier to switch the staight zerk with a 90deg zerk (as Bondo suggested here) but I found that the 90deg zerk fittings do not have enough 'depth' to the threaded end side. To screw it in properly the fitting bottoms against the housing and you still can't get a straight grease gun end to attach. I couldn't easily find a 'deep' 90deg zerk (I such a thing is even made), so I opted to go with the 90deg adapter for the grease gun. Ended up being only 6bux at Princess Auto here in Canada. If you do go the 90deg grease gun adapter route, know the bore hole size first and measure the adapter before buying or TEST FIT THE ADAPTER FIRST..before pushing frease into it..you could still return it if it doesn't fit. My adapter was about 1/32" on radius too big (what a PITA!!!) it wouldnt fit into the clearance bore to go over the zerk! Not to be beaten by a stupid 5cent zerk fitting, I put the end of the adapter on my lathe and turned it down slightly until it fit.

 

[Markov1985]

Re: Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

thanks heaps for the advice, i will chase up a 90 degree adapter. Crappy design i have to admit :S

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

I just use a 90 degree pipe elbow when I do those Fourwinns. I'll tell you what, I have also replaced a bunch of those bearings in boats that shouldn't have needed them. No grease. Makes me believe there are a lot of shops skipping that zerk when doing the services.
Because that zerk sits in a recess, a 90 degree zerk is too close the the transom assy, and a 45 isn't quite enough angle. Careful if you are going to try replacing it. It is threaded into a plastic tube, not aluminum. Very easy to damage it.

 

[Craig W]

Re: Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

...and one other thing I ran into, if using a 90deg gun adapter (my adapter was very snug on the zerk), be careful when pulling it off the GB zerk fitting. As mentioned, it's a plastic tube that it's attached to which also seems to pull out of the bearing housing easily (read: oooooops!) but it seemed to push back in ok. I'm guessing this is why there is an FAQ to remove the tube... (I just can't bring myself to snobs the bellows just yet to do it)

 

[Don S]

Re: Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

If that plastic tube does get damaged, you will get water into the gimbal bearing and the bellows.
Here (see link below) is one method you could use to replace that tube and zirk, and still get to it with your drive still on the boat.
Of course, you will have to remove the drive and bellhousing for this fix, but it will work for you.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=380502

 

[robert graham]

Re: Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

There is an item that I use called a grease needle that you screw into the end of your grease gun, and it can sometimes be helpful in reaching into tight areas. You stick the needle right into the tip of the zerk and pump away. Just an idea for you. Good Luck!

 

[robert graham]

Re: Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

Also, you can slip the grease needle under the lip of a seal to grease an otherwise inaccessible area or bearing. A mechanic friend gave me mine years ago but I'm guessing you might get one at NAPA or similar place. It looks just like a big version of the one your favorite doctor might stick in your arm, just a bit bigger! Good Luck!

 

[Craig W]

Re: Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

Don S, do you know if the plastic tube is pressed in at the factory? Or is an adhesive used when it's installed. When mine pulled out of the bearing housing (as the zerk stuck into the grease gun adapter) it pressed back in snug & tight, no damage to the tube and the zerk fitting is still threaded and snug. I am concerned that if the action of having the tube pull out of the housing that it damaged a factory seal that cannot be remedied by just pushing the tube back in. Do you have an opinion that you can share?

 

[Don S]

Re: Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

Don S, do you know if the plastic tube is pressed in at the factory? Or is an adhesive used when it's installed

They were just pressed in. no glue.
I have tried new tubes, locktite, 5200, super glue, epoxy, you name it trying to find a cure for the ones that leak, but they all kept leaking.
If you don't have a leaker, then a new one should press back in with no leaks. I have to assume the hole is cast and not machined, and that is what causes some of them to leak. If your's came loose and didn't leak water before, it will pobably be fine with a new one or maybe some epoxy, who knows.

 

[Craig W]

Re: Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

Not exactly what I wanted to hear, but it's what I was expecting (grrrrr) Atleast with the friggin cold weather here it gives me time to pull the drive again and rip into the housing to re & re the tube. I'm thinking I will be tapping the housing and improvising some kind of 'simple' repair that will provide easy/easier access to the zerk. I'll post with the results, hopefully within a week or so. Thanks for your professional perspective Don. It's always appreciated.

 

[dan t.]

Re: Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

90 degree brass street elbow between the hose and the nipple fitting on the gun. I keep one on my grease gun all the time, makes getting at some fittings on 4x4s much easyer.

 

[Craig W]

Re: Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

Atleast with the transom on my Fourwinns, the clearance from the side of the Bell/Gimbal housing and the fiberglass protrusion of the transom is barely over 1" - unfortunately not enough a fitting and a standard grease gun nipple fitting (not even enough for just the nipple fitting on it's own!!) Dan T, your idea had crossed my mind as well... I ended up resorting to the 90deg adapter as it had much narrower in profile.

(aditional question removed by Craig W and placed into a new thread)

 

[Don S]

Re: Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

Craig, you need to start your own threads with your questions instead of hijacking Markov's post

 

[Craig W]

Re: Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

My sincerest appologies Don S and Markov1985. Intent was not malicious (just thought I was keeping relavent info together). I've removed my question (above) and started a new thread http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=458813&p=3099522#post3099522 regarding modifications to the grease tube on the gimbal housing. Thanks.

 

[ericp]

Re: Trouble getting to grease nipple for Gimbal bearing

I have a similar problem on my Hardy Pilot in UK - the SX Drive is transom mounted so space is not so much of a problem. However, the grease fitting is missing - just a threaded hole, and I can not find any reference to the size required. Tried what looked like a 1/4 inch from the tow bar of my trailer, but that was a bit too big. Any one know the thread size?