U-Joint

danrob · **Joined:** Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:41 am **Posts:** 17

Hi there:

I have a 2008 H200 with a 5.0l V-P with about 120 hours.

Q - can the U-Joint be serviced with the sterndrive still attached?? I am getting some weird vibrations when I turn the boat and I suspect the U-Joint may be the reason. I want to lubricate it first to see if this resolves the problem and plan on replacing it if it doesn't.

Thanks for your thoughts and feedback.

Cheers,

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Tue Sep 02, 2014 9:16 am

Short answer: No.

The drive has to be removed to get at the u-joints. Actually your drive should be removed every year as part of the annual service. You may have the non-greasable u-joints, tho.

Oh, I bet ya a dollar that vibration is being caused by your gimble bearing. That is another item that must be serviced every year with a shot or three of grease. Should be a zerk on the outside transom bracket, starboard side.

Toddely · **Posted:** Tue Sep 02, 2014 11:37 am

Dan , I believe you are correct, it is your u-joints. When you turn the lower unit it puts stress on the u-joints there for you will hear them as well as feel the vibration.

LouC · **Posted:** Tue Sep 02, 2014 12:22 pm

A certain amount of vibration is normal when turning tightly at low speeds. If you feel it at higher speeds turning while on plane that's not normal.
I know on some Volvos they changed to non greasable and non replaceable joints. In the latter case the whole input shaft has to be changed. Dumb design!

danrob · **Joined:** Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:41 am **Posts:** 17

Folks, thanks very much for your feedback and suggestions. I will be pulling the boat this weekend as I am ending my season early. I am attending a wedding and moving and won't have time to enjoy the water.

I will have the U-Joint checked prior to putting the boat in the water next year.

Cheers,

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2014 4:04 pm

Actually I'd get it looked at this fall, because if there's water in the bellows (possible) then it will corrode the input shaft, cause the seal to start leaking and make more problems. Get it sorted out now and then it's all ready in the spring when everyone is rushing to get their boats in. Vibrations and noise in an I/O power train are often due to wear and a leaky bellows accelerates wear greatly.
If you want minimal problems with an I/O boat what you should do is service the outdrive at the end of each season. That way you catch problems before they get too expensive. The I/O power package avoids the high cost of outboards but makes additional demands on the owner in terms of maintenance. It's not hard or complicated but it needs to be done on time.

Graham R · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2014 4:48 pm

A 2008 boat; no grease zerks on the U/Js, no replaceable U Joints ( physically possible, but as far as I know unobtainable). You could try removing them, greasing them and refitting (very easy) but if they are knocking, they are worn. A new shaft is the only replacement supplied by VP. Probably no zerk for the gimble bearing either. Welcome to the world of "sealed for (short) life" boating components

GottWhat · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2014 5:19 pm

Does anyone know what year they switched to u-joints you cannot grease?

Graham R · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2014 5:45 am

All I know is that it was after late 1998 ( when my 1999 boat which had the u/J zerks was built) and before late 2003 ( when my 2004 boat, without them, was built), so it doesn't really help narrow it down I'm afraid !

GottWhat · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2014 8:34 am

Graham R wrote:

All I know is that it was after late 1998 ( when my 1999 boat which had the u/J zerks was built) and before late 2003 ( when my 2004 boat, without them, was built), so it doesn't really help narrow it down I'm afraid !

That narrows it down quite a bit! I haven't had my drive off yet so I do not know if mine can be greased.

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U-Joint

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