Well, I've used the Merc 2-4-C on my gimble and other parts of my boat previously, but I'm out. So, when I went to my local Boaters World to pick up a new pack in anticipation of the ice almost being off the lake, I saw Quicksilver Gimble and Universal Joint lube. Is there really any difference between the two? Is it worth my while to pick up the separate stuff?
Never use 2-4-C on the gimbal or U-joints, the teflon within makes the rollers (needles) slide rather than roll and the bearing will wear out prematurely. If I were you, I'd use the grease you bought, and pump trwice as much is as you normally would to try and replace all the 2-4-C.
2-4-C is superior to the other grease in every other application though...
Never use 2-4-C on the gimbal or U-joints, the teflon within makes the rollers (needles) slide rather than roll and the bearing will wear out prematurely. If I were you, I'd use the grease you bought, and pump trwice as much is as you normally would to try and replace all the 2-4-C.
2-4-C is superior to the other grease in every other application though...
X2
_________________________
James 2002 Cobalt 226 VP 8.1GIDP 2007 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax 1988 Suburban 3/4 Ton 2005 Subaru Forester XT (Turbo)- FOR SALE 2000 Subaru Forester 1965 Mustang
#394931 - 04/06/0807:02 AMRe: 2-4-C for gimble
[Re: trooplewis]
Sea Ray Guy
Boating Fanatic
Vice Admiral
Registered: 03/03/05
Posts: 439
Loc: Chicopee, MA
Originally Posted By: trooplewis
Where does that grease go that gets pumped out/replaced? I worry about adding too much grease to the gimbal.
I believe it collects in the bellows area......If you remove the drive for periodic inspection you can then clean out excess grease/lube that has accumulated there.
Where does that grease go that gets pumped out/replaced? I worry about adding too much grease to the gimbal.
I believe it collects in the bellows area......If you remove the drive for periodic inspection you can then clean out excess grease/lube that has accumulated there.
I agree, you cannot put too much grease in, the excess comes out by the inner race. You do need to be careful though with how quickly you pump the grease in; if too fast, I know from bitter experience that it can push out the spring that's under the seal lip. It's a real pain to get that spring back into place with the seal in situ, as it's fitted ahead of the bearing in the housing!
#395321 - 04/07/0802:58 PMRe: 2-4-C for gimble
[Re: casualboater]
Lou C
Admiral
Registered: 01/20/03
Posts: 978
Loc: Long Island NY
I use the Pennzoil Marine trailer wheel bearing grease, and when you grease them, if you do it with drive off you can see it coming thru the cage of the bearing. I like to turn the bearing when pumping the grease so that all the rollers get coated with grease. If you just grease it stationary the grease fills that one area and the excess just comes out the bearing cage. Alternatively, you could grease it with the engine running on the muffs which would have the same effect.
_________________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon 4.3 OMC 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Ok, so if the 2-4-C is bad because of the Teflon, can I just use regular old grease? Is there something special about the Merc gimble grease?
Regular grease is fine in this application. It's simply a regular needle bearing operating in a humid environment. It's so coated with grease, the humidity will have no effect. I have had excellent fresults with Mobil 1 grease over the years, though I did need to replace ball joints on my Durango at around 7 years/100,000 miles while using Mobil 1 since day one.
I had to bring this back up. I pulled my drive tonight to grease the u-joints, came right off. There was plenty of excess grease in the belows, kinda made me nervous at first until I remembered the discussion on where the excess gimbal grease goes.
Anywho, I pulled out my official Mercruiser owners manual, which being close to 20 years old is a bit ragged. It stated to use the 2-4-C on the hinge pins and gimble. It was both spelled out and had a great little diagram showing the grease points, which included the gimble.
I just can't imagine that Merc is going to recomend that I use a grease that will be bad for my drive, and the Alpha has been around plenty long enough for them to know what works on it.
I had to bring this back up. I pulled my drive tonight to grease the u-joints, came right off. There was plenty of excess grease in the belows, kinda made me nervous at first until I remembered the discussion on where the excess gimbal grease goes.
Anywho, I pulled out my official Mercruiser owners manual, which being close to 20 years old is a bit ragged. It stated to use the 2-4-C on the hinge pins and gimble. It was both spelled out and had a great little diagram showing the grease points, which included the gimble.
I just can't imagine that Merc is going to recomend that I use a grease that will be bad for my drive, and the Alpha has been around plenty long enough for them to know what works on it.
Ok, flame away if you disagree!
I won't flame at all.
I will say that perhaps something changed in the formulation of 2-4-c or perhaps something changed in the bearings being used. I thought on the tube it said not to use for roller bearings. I could be wrong.
_________________________
James 2002 Cobalt 226 VP 8.1GIDP 2007 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax 1988 Suburban 3/4 Ton 2005 Subaru Forester XT (Turbo)- FOR SALE 2000 Subaru Forester 1965 Mustang
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