U joint shaft

[redlinj]

Will be replacing my alpha one gimbal bearing ! Once the outdrive is removed and if the u joints need replacing, would I need to remove the shaft from the unit? There appears to be kind of a slotted nut holding it on. Anything else ? Special wrench? I hate replacing u joints!!!!!!

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

 

[Rick Stephens]

I had to grind a corner to clear the bearing cap on one. Get an inexpensive ball joint press and go to it.

 

[Twhjelmgren28]

You can rent a ball joint press at an auto parts store. I just did mine for the first time and here is the video I used:

 

[kenny nunez]

Most times when the gimbal bearing and universal joints need replacing is from water incursion in the bellows. If so then the seal surface on the input yoke is rusted and will not hold pressure and leak into the bellows. You will then have to remove the driveshaft bearing retainer. Is the bellows leaking?
Sierra# 18-9803 Spanner nut wrench. Then you can inspect the yoke seal surface.

 

[redlinj]

My problem started when my bilge pump failed during a very rain and filled my boat almost to the carb. Bellows are only 2 yrs old! Now a rumble occurs which never happened before! Is it possible for water to enter the gimbal bearing and or u joints from the bilge? By the way, the engine itself has been taken care of and still runs great again!

 

[AShipShow]

Most times when the gimbal bearing and universal joints need replacing is from water incursion in the bellows. If so then the seal surface on the input yoke is rusted and will not hold pressure and leak into the bellows. You will then have to remove the driveshaft bearing retainer. Is the bellows leaking?
Sierra# 18-9803 Spanner nut wrench. Then you can inspect the yoke seal surface.

Suprised it worked out for you following that loser's videos...

 

[Rick Stephens]

My problem started when my bilge pump failed during a very rain and filled my boat almost to the carb. Bellows are only 2 yrs old! Now a rumble occurs which never happened before! Is it possible for water to enter the gimbal bearing and or u joints from the bilge? By the way, the engine itself has been taken care of and still runs great again!

Yes, there is a passageway for pressure relief - about a 1/4 inch square or a little bigger that passes by the gimbal bearing from bellows to bilge.

 

[redlinj]

That could then , explain the rumble! Guess I’ll haul the boat out, and replace that gimbal bearing! First chance I get!