VP saildrive diaphram

[brians]

Anyone replaced their VP diaphram recently and what was the cost? Mine is a VP2020 with 120S saildrive.

There is an excellent article in this months Sailing Today with step by step instructions but it looks to be well beyond my capability.

[oldsaltoz]

We removed one of our 2 saildrives (VP120s) last year and replaced all the bearings as we suspect some water had got into it, we also replaced the rubber seal, not too complicated, more time consuming then anything else.

Getting everything clean enough to reassemble was the most difficult, no problems with the leg, we did that in the workshop. It was the ring seal underside sealing ring, a small raised area, whoever had it off last time but it together with some rubbish still on it, by the time we got that off you could see tiny spots and what looked like pin holes filled with carbon, or a very black form of corrosion.

I have all details and receipts in the 'maintenance log' but I'm not on board, will get the information in the morning if no one has come back with the details.

Avagoodweekend......

[emandvee44]

We have a D2-55, just had the "doughnut seal" renewed @ 7 years age - total was 517.50 pounds.

[Cantata]

I have just changed mine, also 2020 and 120S.
Was not difficult. You need help, I would imagine it's almost impossible to do on your own.
The parts come in a kit, £147 from Keypart.
The article in ST is very good, although they go on at length about disconnecting loads of stuff from the engine to allow it to slide forward. On our boat (Moody S31) we only had to disconnect the gear cable, and release the exhaust water-trap from the floor of the boat, as everything else had enough slack in it to allow the engine to move far enough.
If you are a reasonable hand at DIY you shouldn't have a problem.
If your boat's a Moody and you belong to the MOA, there's detailed description of the job in the Tech Library on the website.

[Gubbo]

Just changed two this winter. Kit price as above.
I had to disconnect everything and slide the VP 2003 into the cabin otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get the saildrive out of the engine bay.

I think its a worthwhile job to do yourself because it gives a great opportunity to paint inaccessible bits of the engine, find hidden pipes or wires that are chafing and remake electical connections. I actually found my flywheel carrier had suffered from the VP2000 wear problem and had to be replaced. I would never had found this if I hadn't tackled the job.

I agree with the other posts that you will need a hand for some of it, especially the realignment of the engine and input shaft when a good deal of wiggling helps.

[DaveS]

Just to say that while assistance would certainly help, particularly with getting the splines aligned, it is possible to do the job single handed - I have. Removing the prop shaft first makes it much easier to pull the leg up through the fairing rubber: a straight lift rather than needing a big tilt or tearing the rubber.