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Hi, I have a 2006 FourWinns deckboat with a Volvo Penta 5.7 GXI-GF DP-S stern drive. I usually do all of my own maintenance. In my Volvo Penta owners manual it states that the drive unit needs to be removed to grease the primary shaft & bearings on a yearly basis.
I have a few questions; Have you ever performed this maintenance? Is this a major operation? If not, is there a good source that illustrate's step by step how to get the job done? Your help would be most appreciated. Thanks, Ray

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Ray & Paula
2006 Four Winns 244 Funship

I have the dealer do it at least every 2 years. It's an hour of labor for them, so about $100. If you're mechanical, you could do it yourself but the main issue is that you'll need an engine hoist (or similar) and/or a fixture of some kind to support the drive. The DuoProp drive is very heavy.

I like the answer Walt gave you across the street, also.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

The main thing with this job is that you get to see if there is any water in the driveshaft bellows, which needs immediate attention. That's why the mechanics I use recommend doing it every year (moored in salt water, worst for corrosion). This season I took it off myself (1988 Cobra drive) and used a drive stand I made myself out of 2x6s and adjustable casters so the height can be adjusted to the exact height of the boat. Those drives are heavy, if you have a bad back I would not try removing or installing it without a stand of some kind. Some have made their own, some have used motorcycle jacks, and there are ones you can buy.
Reinstalling, can be difficult because you need to align the gimble bearing with the coupler and that takes an engine alignment tool that costs about $100 depending on where you get it.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II