Zerk fitting on Bravo 3 - how much grease to use?

Danny Troy

Danny Troy

Member
Oct 8, 2009
861
Candlewood Lake, CT
Boat Info
2003 280 Sundancer
Engines
496MAG w/genset
I happen to look behind my 8.1L engine, and I see a Zerk fitting on the tube that connects the engine to the outdrive. I don't know the name of the part, but I suppose it houses the universal joint, and drive-shaft from the engine to the outdrive. There is one grease fitting at the very top of this piece. How much grease should I use, and what type grease should be used? Thanks for any advice.
 
my DOG HOUSE said:
Done. Have a great weekend.
Click to expand...
Got it. Thanks a lot

LK, I quickly ran through all 596 pages and I still don't know!

I found this info (assuming the part is the engine coupler, though not sure on that):


Engine Coupler Spline Grease Coupler possible Merc number: 92-802869A 1


1. Lubricate engine coupler splines through grease fittings on coupler by applying
approximately 8‑10 pumps of grease from a typical hand‑operated grease gun.
NOTE: If the boat is operated at idle for prolonged periods of time, coupler should be
lubricated.
Bravo Models ‑ every 50 hours; Alpha Models ‑ every 150 hours.
 
From what you are describing, that would be the coupler you are attempting to grease
 
I finally greased that joint yesterday. A little more info on it, and maybe you can tell me if it is the coupler we're talking about. On a rear-wheel drive car I would call it a driveshaft, since it rotates when the outdrive is in gear. The shaft is about 2" in diameter and sits below the steering linkage. What part is actually being greased in the shaft, the universal fitting? Sorry, I never disassembled a Bravo 3, so I'm a noob on this. Anyway, I got the recommended spline grease and put in 8 pumps of the grease gun. Hopefully all will be well when I take the boat out today.
 
There should be two Zerk Fittings on opposite sides of each other on a Bravo 3 drive that lubricate the splines. Both require greasing. You can avoid having to do this altogether if you pull the drive annually and lube the splines with the drive removed. And in my opinion you should pull your drive annually anyhow because there are several other things you need to be aware of that have not been mentioned so far. Judging from the model year of your boat, it likely has u-joints that also need to be greased (Mercury went to sealed u-joints several years back that don't require greasing). The only way to grease the u-joints is to pull the drive, a job best left to the dealer in my opinion because of the weight of the drive. And by lubricating the splines with the drive removed, you can forget about having to lube it thru the zerk fittings. Plus pulling the drive will also insure you don't have any water leaks. At the same time you can lube the gimbal bearing thru the zerk fitting on the transom housing, some thing you cannot do with your boat in the water. And the condition of the u-joints, splines, and gimbal bearing can be assessed as well. Then the gear lube should be changed as well even if it is not due. The reason you want to do this at least annually is to make sure no water has gotten into the gear case.

Dave
 
I'm pretty sure there is only one Zerk fitting on that shaft. I know, because I had to kick it in gear about 10 times before it got to a point where I could easily get the grease gun fitting on it. But I will take another look at it today.

Yes, I hear you about removing the drive, but it is stored at the marina, so it would really have to be done by them, and they get top dollar for everything. The drive was pulled and gimbal bearing job done in the last couple of years, by the PO, so hopefully it's in good shape internally.
 
Easiest Way to get the zerk lined up so that you can grease it is to put a large socket on the crankshaft pulley and turn the engine over slightly by hand. No need to put the drive in gear as the shaft is always tuning when the engine is running.
 
Westie said:
Easiest Way to get the zerk lined up so that you can grease it is to put a large socket on the crankshaft pulley and turn the engine over slightly by hand. No need to put the drive in gear as the shaft is always tuning when the engine is running.
Click to expand...
Thanks... I'll remember that for next year. BTW, I checked today and there was only one Zerk fitting.
 
I know there are two on mine. I have to lay on top of my batteries to get access to the coupler.
 
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