Do you change your gear lube every year or every other?

[Searayguy185]

Just curious what the consensus is out there for how often do you change your gear lube? I've been doing mine every year but a place that I use to go to said they change their clients every other. What do you think? Thanks

 

[BillK2632]

I change mine end of every year when I put the boat away for the winter - change the gear lube and oil.

 

[carterchapman]

Oil is cheap. I change mine at the end of every year.

 

[paulswagelock]

Every year. If you took in water during the season it would go undetected if you didn't do a complete drain.

 

[Little Ducky]

Boat stays in water 24/7/365 so it gets changed more often then not every 2 years during the repair of another issue that requires it to get pulled.

When I had my SR 180 I think it was done every 2 years as well .... never had an issue.

 

[northern]

When I had twin stern drives I changed every year. It will tell you if a seal is leaking (Milky oil) or there are excess metal wear (Magnetic drain plug).

 

[PMC]

On the sundancer I would change the gear lube yearly. The drives were pulled, inspected, and preasure tested each winter layup. The 185 was trailered, and spent more time on land then underwater. ....I was comfortable spacing it out.

 

[boatman37]

Every year here too. Cheap enough. Same with engine oil. And I only put about 25-30 hours a year on it.

 

[Espos4]

Every year here too.
It'll be about 45-50 hours of use for the year.
I like to remove the drive every year and give it a once over.

By the way, if you drain it at the end of he year, be sure to refill it for winter storage. Don't let condensation form rust on the internals of the drive.

 

[OllieC]

As other stated - every season (3-4months) gear lube & oil.

 

[carterchapman]

I should have added that in addition to changing it every year, I also have CAT do SOS oil samples on the fluid - $13 each. Also cheap insurance IMHO.

Why do I use CAT for oil samples when I have MAN engines and Twin Disc transmissions? The CAT dealer is across the street from my marina - and they are half the price of Blackstone which many folks use...