Shift Cable Bellows

[krisnowicki]

I have heard such dreadful things about the bellows. I was out today and running for a while. The boat was taking in more water then normal. The bildge would run every 20 mins or so. So I hope of the back of the boat trying to find the spot of the leak. The exhaust and drive bellows were still intact thatnk god i have heard bad things about when the drive bellows go bad and the gimble bearing going too. So the shift cable beLLOWS is ripped in have. An water is coming in the question is, if i run the rest of the season with it this way and intend to change the cable and all three bellows at the end am i going to damage any thing aside from the cable which I am going to replace any way? Also, if it isnt a good idea can I just replace the shift bellows as the others look ok?

 

[qystan]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

The question you are avoiding to ask is whether you'll see the bottom of the lake before the season ends.

Always remember that the bilge pump runs off the battery which has limited capacity. When that runs out the pump stops and it won't start the engine. Without any juice left, you'll be sitting out there waiting for the bottom to greet you.

A leak is never ok regardless of the size. Get the bellow changed immediately, its only a couple of hours - you will need another person to help with the installation.

 

[APPALOOSA2]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

I would bet that if your shift cable bellows is bad your cable is not that far behind, nor the other bellows for that matter.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

Not a very big deal to change the shift cable bellows on an Alpha. Easiest one by far. You'll need an extra-deep socket to clear the "tail" of the cable to remove it (9/16 believe? I drilled an extension out for clearance).

1) Pull outdrive - 6 bolts, 15 minutes
2) Diconnect cable in boat - 2 minutes
3) Pull inner cable out fron back - 30 seconds
4) Unscrew outer cable using deep socket (whole cable spins - don't try to hold it) - 2 minutes
5) Slide cable out, remove old boot - 30 seconds

Reverse process to install new cable. Total time about 45 minutes and you don't risk sinking your boat! My shift cable bellows pulled loose once and the boat took on an amazing amount of water. Was lucky I had an automatic bilge pump or it would have sunk at the dock.

I personally wouldn't take my boat out again till it was fixed.

 

[krisnowicki]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

the question is how long would it take to do all three I was reading the manual and it has alot of special tools do i ned them all?

 

[achris]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

You have 3 boats in your signature... Obviously it ain't the laughing engine... So, which Mercruiser are you working on now... There is a world of difference changing the uni joint bellows on the 2 different Alphas... The gen I is easier, in my opinion, if there is no corrosion factor to account for.. and different tools too...

Chris......

 

[krisnowicki]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

Sorry achris good call. I am talking about the gen II. What is harder about the Gen II?

 

[Don S]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

The Gen II is by far easier to replace the ujoint bellows, no hose clamp on the inside of the bellhousing to deal with.
You still have to disconnect the shift cable and completely remove it from the boat. It is actually possible to change the shift cable bellows without removing the bellhousing. Remove the drive and turn the steering to port after removing the shift cable.

 

[achris]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

The Gen II is by far easier to replace the ujoint bellows, no hose clamp on the inside of the bellhousing to deal with....

Here's where Don and I disagree... I think that stupid sleeve is far harder to install than the hose clamp...

Chris......

Hey, Krisnowicki... You changed your signature to just the one boat... thanks! Now my previous post makes me look like a goose, again.

 

[Don S]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

That's so easy Chris. When you find out the trick, you will find it's all of a 10 second job.
Put some Merc engine tuner on the bellows and the ring. Then with the special tool or something similar. Gently push it into place. Done Deal.

Page 4A-8 in the OEM Service Manual

 

[achris]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

That's so easy Chris. When you find out the trick, you will find it's all of a 10 second job.
Put some Merc engine tuner on the bellows and the ring. Then with the special tool or something similar. Gently push it into place. Done Deal.

Page 4A-8 in the OEM Service Manual

I've tried engine oil, Power tune, Olive oil, Vaseline, saliva... You name it, I've tried it... and yes, I'm using the right tool... Hey, I've even tried acetone!

Chris.........

and it's on page 4B-38, of manual #14

 

[krisnowicki]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

Don where in the manual is the u joint bellows r and r? I found the shift and exhaust but dont see the u joint. Also, what "special" tools will i need ?

 

[krisnowicki]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

also does any one know the part number for the shift cable?

 

[Don S]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

Section 4A covers all the bellows. Not really a lot to say about installing it.
When you install the ujoint bellows just make sure the rib in the bellows fits in the groove on the gimbal housing, and that you have the clamps in the correct location on all the bellows. On the shift cable bellows, I don't use the metal crimp to clamp the bellows to the cable, I use a fuel line wire tie that has puts pressure all the way around the bellows, and it don't rust.

 

[achris]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

Shift cable part # -865436A02....

Special tool shown on page 4B-38 of manual #14 (lower left of page)

Chris..........

 

[Don S]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

also does any one know the part number for the shift cable?

865436A03 is the newest number.

 

[krisnowicki]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

when removing a gen II what happens to the line coming from the resovior. On the Gen 1 shift in fwd,there is the six bolts on the housing, the trim ram bolt and it is off... How will the line from the resivoir complicate it?

 

[krisnowicki]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

Is this the right part for my shift bellows. And don I am going to try your method of doing it with turning the engine all the way any gotchas or tricks I should know about.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...RL=true&storeNum=6&subdeptNum=68&classNum=261