Can my u-joints be greased?

weather · **Posted:** Sat Apr 14, 2012 2:32 pm

From what I can tell I've got DP-SM drives. The boat is a 1999, but looks like the engine was built in 1998 (from what I can tell with part numbers and such) so I would think the stern drives would be the same.

The mechanic I'm using this year seems to think they can't be greased, but I'd like to know for sure (before I ask him to pull the drives apart). Can anyone tell me for certain that these drives will have grease fittings on the u-joints, that require the drive to be taken apart to access?

Thanks,

Steve.

acguy · **Posted:** Sat Apr 14, 2012 4:00 pm

I would say that they can be greased. My 97 SX on my Sundowner had grease fittings on the u-joints as does my 2000 dp-s on my 248.
If you don't know when the last time the drives were pulled I would most certainly have them pulled and check things out. Better now than in the middle of July!!

BoaterDan278 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 14, 2012 6:34 pm

I cannot say for sure they are, but there is a good chance. Would be prudent to pull your drives. Inspect bellows, check alignment and grease spine. Dan

Technologic80 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 14, 2012 9:31 pm

I used to own a 99 Vista 258 with the DP-SM drive.

The u joints are indeed grease-able, however they are not serviceable.

What that means is IF the u-joints go bad, the whole shaft must be replaced as you cannot remove the u-joints individually and replace them like every other normal boat. Volvo released a technical bulletin regarding this on the DP-SM drives and I know first hand - my mechanic replaced the u-joints ala carte back in 2008, they exploded on my boat ride home from the marina, caused thousands in damage and I almost sunk. The shaft broke apart at the (new) u-joints and took out the transom shield, bellows, and upper part of the outdrive. Called Volvo and they faxed me the service bulletin. My mechanic was in error and paid for all of the damage and replaced the whole shaft this time.

beyond the blue · **Posted:** Sun Apr 15, 2012 1:17 am

As said above the UJ has grease nipples that are accessable once the drive has been stripped, only the gimbal bearing can be greased without stripping the drive.

Graham R · **Posted:** Sun Apr 15, 2012 4:38 am

My 1999 DP-SM had greasable U/Js. I also replaced them (VP still sold the U/Js in 2002) and did about 120 hours on them before I sold the boat. They did not explode in the time I had it..

The grease fittings are angled. If they are not fitted in the correct orientation they can foul at extremes of steering. maybe that's what caused the failure. I can imagine that if the yokes on the shafts and intermediate carrier are damaged, it's unwise to replace the U/Js.

I may be a cynic, but I reckon VP like to make more money selling complete drive shafts than they do selling U/Js ! Much like automotive OEMS went to sealed for life (staked over, non replaceable) U/Js on propshafts in the 1970s !

weather · **Posted:** Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:36 am

Okay - I'm convinced. Thank you for all the responses.

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:44 pm

Honestly, that is ridiculous, to have to change the whole shaft when for decades on American cars (which is of course what that design is adapted from) you could always change the joints only. BUT, some of the auto makes are also doing this, some trucks and SUVS have non servicable joints, you have a bad joint and then replace a whole driveshaft for 900 bucks. I would have an aftermarket shaft made for one of my vehicles that used that design first.
On the volvo it's not just the cost of parts, its the set up of the upper unit that also costs you money. All for the price of a lousy u-joint.

ric · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:49 pm

LouC wrote:

Honestly, that is ridiculous, to have to change the whole shaft when for decades on American cars (which is of course what that design is adapted from) you could always change the joints only. BUT, some of the auto makes are also doing this, some trucks and SUVS have non servicable joints, you have a bad joint and then replace a whole driveshaft for 900 bucks. I would have an aftermarket shaft made for one of my vehicles that used that design first.
On the volvo it's not just the cost of parts, its the set up of the upper unit that also costs you money. All for the price of a lousy u-joint.

My lexus has non serviceable ujoints. I blew threw 2 driveshaft$$$$$$ until I had one made.

Technologic80 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:17 pm

ric wrote:

LouC wrote:

Honestly, that is ridiculous, to have to change the whole shaft when for decades on American cars (which is of course what that design is adapted from) you could always change the joints only. BUT, some of the auto makes are also doing this, some trucks and SUVS have non servicable joints, you have a bad joint and then replace a whole driveshaft for 900 bucks. I would have an aftermarket shaft made for one of my vehicles that used that design first.
On the volvo it's not just the cost of parts, its the set up of the upper unit that also costs you money. All for the price of a lousy u-joint.

My lexus has non serviceable ujoints. I blew threw 2 driveshaft$$$$$$ until I had one made.

+1

Whether Volvo Penta does it for money or not, Im here - living proof - and my mechanic can join this site and tell you as well, that it DID happen to me and Volvo has a technical bulletin on the DP-SM drives.

If you replace the ujoints individually on the DP-SM, you risk catastrophic u-joint/shaft failure and god knows the resultant consequence if your boat founders as it takes on water like mine did (fortunately, I had a friend who towed me right in). I wouldnt risk it, its not worth it. From what I remember, the shaft complete with joints was ~$200. Whats the price on your boating season time & life?

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:23 pm

We are only talking $200 for a shaft?

Not even worth talking about IMHO. Just buy it and be over with it. Thats still a cheap boat repair!

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:44 pm

It's not just the cost of the shaft, its that plus the labor to install and shim the upper gear unit. And if it's not done right you can ruin the upper gear unit. You all know how price Volvo upper gear units are.
A complete rip-off, people have been able to change ujoints in driveshafts for decades, there is no reason it has to be like that, other than they wanting more of your money.
BTW, my 24 year old Cobra has the OE joints still, but if they go bad, it's no big deal to replace em because it's made for them to be replaced.
Didn't any of you ever have the ujoints replaced on an old Jeep or pick up? We all had to do this sooner or later on our old school American cars, no big deal or cost.

I wondered why, I/Os could not use a CV joint like FWD cars do. You could have the CV joint in its own boot, inside the the regular I/O boot. Then if the boot that keeps out the water leaked, the CV joint would be protected. Probably too sensible and fool proof!

Surface Interval · **Posted:** Sun May 20, 2012 4:58 pm

My 1995 190 Horizon did have grease zerks on the u joints. My 2002 268 with the Volvo duoprop drive does not have grease zerks on the u joints.

powellcrazy · **Posted:** Sun May 20, 2012 5:35 pm

LouC wrote:

I wondered why, I/Os could not use a CV joint like FWD cars do. You could have the CV joint in its own boot, inside the the regular I/O boot. Then if the boot that keeps out the water leaked, the CV joint would be protected. Probably too sensible and fool proof!

+ 1

www.iFourWinns.com

Can my u-joints be greased?

Who is online