Hi again. So getting back to my Mercruiser ( 5.0L Alpha One Gen II). I've been procrastinating on changing the U-Joints for some time now. Over the last three seasons, there's been a developing clicking noise when turning all left/right. I went to order the parts today but damn...so many choices.
The first parts diagram I saw had the 'cross' (2 of them) as two separate parts numbers; one was for internal snap rings and one for external seen here:
http://www.boatparts.ca/mercruiser-alpha-1-gen-2/upper_gearcase__up.html

iBoats is even more confusing:
http://ww2.iboats.com/Mercruiser-Al...--session_id.--view_id.

So, the questions I have are:
1. Are both crosses the same?
2. If so, does this mean I have an option on what kind to replace them with?
3. What are the advantages of one over the other (aside form the fact that one is like a fifth the price) and,
4. Do you need to change the yokes as well? I posted pics of my U-Joint when I first inspected them a couple of seasons ago and found no play or wear spots yet I was assured by the old salts here that my issue was in fact the U-Joints, So, if there is no sign of play or wear, then how do you know what pieces are in need of replacement?
Thanks a heap The iBoats diagram shows the correct U joints for your (0L and up) drive. T1 is an older version, and A1 is for Bravo drives.

So A 2 and 18- are your U joints. The less expensive Sierra is identical to the OEM, and what I've used with no problems.

Both are 'permalube'. They come with a pipe plug to replace the grease fitting. The come with only a touch of grease, so I pull the caps, fill them with a good grease (Penzoil red synthetic) and push each cap back on until the grease bleeds back through the hole. Then you can either plug it, or install an included grease fitting.

Rarely would the yoke need replacing. When it happens its either been damaged do to abuse or sealing surface is worn and speedy sleeve will not fit

Sorry to bug you again but I've been reading some of the links posted on this thread in an attempt to better familiarize myself and save future inquiries on topics asked about a billion times already.

So, for sh$ts and giggles I went to the mercruiser.com site and wholesale marine site and entered my drive number (0m).
The Merc electronic parts catalog shows three parts #s for the cross (A2 A01 A02) without really stating what the difference is. The wholesale marine parts cat displays 4 rows of styles for the Alpha One and I would assume that mine falls into the last category Alpha One Gen IIOL & Above Following through with that is shows that the u-joint I require is Sierra 18- U-Joint (the row above it shows the 18- you mentioned.
Why is this so difficult for me to grasp? :facepalm:

With your serial number you should have external clips which is last pic, do note the clips

A2 have internal clips Gen 2 GLM , Mallory 9-, Sierra 18-

Your patience is to be admired.
Why does that second one have so many c-clips?

BTW, I just dug up a pic I took when last I had the unit apart..go figure.


Nothing has ever made sense with this boat. I've run into the same problem with the engine serial number and serpentine belts etc. But, even if it was totally misrepresented and put together from parts from a scrap yard, it's really never given me any issues.

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harringtondav, can you elaborate on how to remove the plugs? I have my drive off and would like to explore this option before spring. Thanks for any responses.

If yours are Merc factory original, you can't remove the plug. But you can still add grease by pulling the caps, filling them one at a time and pressing them back on. You'll see the grease start to ooze back through the trunion cross drilled holes.

Both the Merc and Sierra replacements include a pipe plug. You can add your own grease fitting if you want. I recall the Sierra comes with both pipe plug and grease zerks.

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