www.iFourWinns.com

It's a 2005 boat, it'll have the input shaft with U//js that have no grease zerks.. The U/Js on those shafts are not replaceable and the whole shaft must be changed ( according to Volvo Penta, that is).

It is physically possible to remove and refit the U/Js. However, as far as I have been able to find out, replacement U/Js are not available. Those sold for the early ones will not fit; they use external circlips on the bearing cases to retain them. The later ones use internal circlips in the yokes.

I cant believe that there isnt any replacement u-joints made yet for those later model drives

_________________
"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

Any time I can't get a u-joint for a job I'm doing, I take the shaft to my local driveline specialty shop. He always dets the job done and his prices aint too bad either.

John

_________________
07 Azure AZ200,
Previous boat,
95 278 Vista,
And a lot of others.

Ontario, Canada

I agree they must be sourced from automotive application so a driveline shop might be able to match them up.

_________________
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

Those U/Js, using internernal circlips as retainers do indeed look just like the ones I changed on a 1971 Ford Escort Mexico some 33 years ago ! I just haven't seen ANY reference to an equivalent U/J., I'd be very happy if you could please prove me wrong ! If my U/js fail I'd much rather replace them rather than the whole shaft, with the disassembly/ shimming that requires !

Lou,

I usually agree with you entirely, But, don't be so sure in this case. The driveshaft supplier is I believe Rockwell. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they had an agreement with VP that they would make an unique dimension U/J for VP, not just for the SX / SXA type upper unit. Along the lines of:

Rockwell would make and supply complete driveshafts only to VP for a specified period ( value added/ extra profit item compared to just U/Js)

Volvo Penta would only supply driveshafts rather then U/Js to their customers ( again. more money to be made)

An aftermarket company would have to tool up to make such unique "marine" bearings; not cost effective ?

Actually I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case, a number of vehicles are being made with driveshafts that do not have replaceable ujoints; my 07Jeep is one of them. So instead of replacing ujoints you get to buy a new driveshaft for 900 bucks. In that case 4x4 shops can make a custom driveshaft with greasable replaceable ujoints. I wonder if the same could be done with the Volvo shaft.

_________________
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

I'm sure they could; you would maybe need to remove the shaft for them to work on.

Non replaceable U?Js are not a new thing; Ford used them on the propshafts of their 1970's models here; they ware "staked" in place in the yokes rather than using circlips. It took about 12 months before propshaft shops had developed a technique to replace them/ make them replaceable if required again in the future !

but these newer shafts have removable outer clips holding them together...... to me that is removable and should be able to be replaced

_________________
"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

Yes, they are removeable; but information of replacement ones seems to be non existent on the internet. I find that strange, as that sort have been in use since at least 2003 ! Maybe they are made from "unobtainium"

In parts guy lingo "that part is not serviced seperatly, you have to buy the whole assembly"
Another way for them to make money. I think I'll keep my old Cobra with greasable gimble and u-joints that can be replaced.

_________________
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

If a driveline/driveshaft company can rebuild it then there has to be a replacement joint. I think next time I have my drive off I will remove a u-joint and get all exact specs and bring it to my local diveline shop and see what they can get.

nothing to me is "non-serviceable" ..............if it comes apart, its fixable

_________________
"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

If yours still has the 1996 Input shaft fitted, U/Js are still readily available for it.

It's the later U/Js that seem to be elusive so far.

nope my drive is an 06 and it has the non-greasible u-joints

_________________
"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

Ah, I look forward to hearing what you find ! I actually took the input shaft front section off my '04 drive before I had an alignment tool, so I can vouch the U/Js are easily removeable and refittable !