u-joint bellow

[PowerAddict]

From the research and searching if the rubber is starting to crack it needs repalcing.

Now, some bellows have another seal and some dont? Mine is a 73 so I guess its a pre-alpha... And some gimbals require a special tool and some dont? The manual is a little unclear (but I'm probably just looking at it wrong over simply overlooking it).

I just want to be prepared because my rubber is starting to crack? Do you think I should just finish the rest of the season like it is?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: u-joint bellow

If you see cracks its time to pull the drive before the u-joints and drive shaft rust up and need replaced.
Could save you a lot of money to do it now.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: u-joint bellow

All it will take to do damage is for one of those cracks to open up and let water in the drive shaft bellows.

 

[PowerAddict]

Re: u-joint bellow

how can I tell if the gimbal bearing is in need of replacement other than the obvious aesthetics.

 

[Don S]

Re: u-joint bellow

Every drive out there that came out before 1986 is a PRE-ALPHA drive. What you have is a 1 drive (One Drive) which is before the R and the MR drives which are also Pre-Alpha.

how can I tell if the gimbal bearing is in need of replacement other than the obvious aesthetics.

Reach in there and turn it. If it feels rough at all, replace it. It should be very smooth. If you grease it and then try it, it will also be very stiff to turn, that's normal.

Fix it all NOW, before it becomes more expensive.

The manual is a little unclear (but I'm probably just looking at it wrong over simply overlooking it).

What manual are you looking at?

 

[PowerAddict]

Re: u-joint bellow

I have a few little pocket manuals, some packets with a lot of specs and basic breakdowns.

my main manual is the mercury marine service manual for mercruiser sterndrive units and marine engines c-90-71707.

and Its got every power package from 120-325 in there and I really don't' like the way they try and organize it because it becomes very clustered and seemingly out of logical order, but hey, maybe its just me.

 

[Don S]

Re: u-joint bellow

my main manual is the mercury marine service manual for mercruiser sterndrive units and marine engines c-90-71707.

and Its got every power package from 120-325 in there and I really don't' like the way they try and organize it because it becomes very clustered and seemingly out of logical order, but hey, maybe its just me.

Well, that's how they did them up till 78. But the fact remains the manual you have is for the 74 to 77 models, and you have a 73, So it's the wrong one anyway.
You need #1, PN 90-68648

 

[PowerAddict]

Re: u-joint bellow

ha ha, well fancy that!!


what's even more crazy is the fact that you know the part number!!!!!

You guys are amazing on here!!

 

[Don S]

Re: u-joint bellow

what's even more crazy is the fact that you know the part number!!!!!

You guys are amazing on here!!

That's why I get the big bucks around here

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: u-joint bellow

That's why I get the big bucks around here

And have the prestigious title of SENSAI

 

[ziggy]

Re: u-joint bellow

You need #1, PN 90-68648

+ my c-90-68648 came in two volumes. vol. 2 has the drive, acc., and specs in it. so beware when ya get one that it may be two volumes. i'm also not conviced that they all are that way either.....some may have all the info in them. my 71707 came in one vol.

if i had cracks in my bellows rubber, i'd be gettin it fixed asap. as stated by others, the ramifications for havin it leak can be most catastrophic. from sinking to major rebuild of the drive and replacement of the ujoints and gimble brg.........

 

[PowerAddict]

Re: u-joint bellow

And have the prestigious title of SENSAI

lol, well said.

so i feel dumb....turns out I was thinking the exhaust bellow was the u-joint bellow... They orderd in the part for me I go and get it, look at it and say....uhh....thats not right, then they proceeded to give me the you're a freaking moron look, and I said, thanks in humility.

I'm such a newb. Good news is my u-joint bellow is okay.