couple questions about U joint bellow replacement on Alpha One

[tfret]

Going strictly by the manual, it doesn't say to apply bellows adhesive to the gimbal flange, only on the bell housing flange. I assume this is just an oversight and the adhesive should also go on the gimbal flange as well. Also, my new bellows came with two clips. Again, the manual only makes reference to these as ground clips that go on both ends of the exhaust bellows. But says nothing about them on the U joint bellows. I assume one goes on both ends of the U joint bellow, and UNDER the worm/hose clamp? I just want to be sure I get this right the first time. Please advise. Thanks!

 

[Boater31]

Are you talking about gen 1 or gen 2.
If gen 2 I don't think the bellows has 2 clips only 1 on the forward side. The aft side goes in the bell housing with the retainer ring. I'm still waiting for my kit to try this but just going by manuals I read and pictures I've seen. The gen 1 I think uses 2 clamps like exhaust and therefore 2 clips. Make sure you have the right kit.

The bands go over the clips as far as I know.

Last time I used bellows adhesive I think it says to apply to both surfaces and combine when tacky.

The #14 manual is lacking a bit if you asked me but I think I have it all sorted in my head and plan on using this order if it helps you.

https://forums.iboats.com/forum/eng...7378-mercruiser-4-3l-bellows-relacement/page3

 

[harringtondav]

Adhesive under all hose clamps. None at the aft end of the drive shaft bellows. Clips around the hose clamped ends of the bellows. Their intent is to ground the hose clamps to avoid corrosion. Strange, since the clamps are SS.

View attachment Gimbal hsg parts.pdf

 

[tfret]

Gen1. Yes after watching some videos I learned the clips ground the hose clamps so they don’t corrode. And to place them on the bottom of each end since they have little cleats that bite into the flange, they actually help hold the bellow on and the bottom is at most risk of pulling off.
As for the adhesive, I’ve heard everything. I believe I’ll but it on both ends, on the flange and in the bellows, wait until tacky, then install bell housing side first, then onto gimbal side. Best I can tell that’s the way to go. Not sure what number my manual is but it seems to be lacking in some details here and there. Most all videos I can find are for Gen 2 that have the retainer ring on the bell housing end. Thank you all.

 

[tfret]

Got my bellows job done today. That’s a very challenging job. It took about 8 hours of wrench time. Another thing my manual makes no mention of is the water hose. Videos show it being disconnected at the gimbal but I couldn’t get it off. I took it off the bell house end. It was nearly impossible to get back on. Also, my old bellows had a spiral wire inside it. My new one didn’t. I didn’t even think about putting it back in until afterwards. What is the wire for?
Secondly, I found two small holes in the old bellows. One the size of my index finger at the front 11 o’clock position. And another tiny hole on the other side. Other than that the bellows looked new. I can’t figure out what caused the holes. I did have a lot of excess grease from the hinge pins on the outside of the bellows. Does this grease cause the bellows rubber to deteriorate? I REALLY don’t want to do this job again.

 

[achris]

Spiral wire. Did you use Merc genuine or aftermarket?

Water hoes. Unless you're replacing it, do not remove it from the nipples.

No, grease won't damage the bellows. If it did, then gimbal bearing grease would be bad news.

 

[achris]

Going strictly by the manual, it doesn't say to apply bellows adhesive to the gimbal flange,...

Yes, it does. Read page 4B-31, manual #6....

This is in reference to installing the bell housing, onto which the bellows is already installed on, into the gimbal ring/gimbal housing.

... Also, my new bellows came with two clips. Again, the manual only makes reference to these as ground clips that go on both ends of the exhaust bellows. But says nothing about them on the U joint bellows....

I have no idea which manual you're reading, but the Merc genuine manual most definitely does make reference to the grounding clips on the uni bellows.... This is page 15 of the same section (complete with a picture)....



Chris........

 

[tfret]

I’m using Alpha Service manual 6, but in pdf. I printed at work what I thought were all the necessary pages. I do see the adhesive and clip info now. My apologies there. And I understand not to disconnect the hose unless replacing it. That makes sense and definitely doubled the difficulty level for me. All said I’m happy with the repair. I tested it at the boat ramp and had no leaks. I am still concerned about what caused the holes in the first place as the bellow otherwise looked great. I could understand if it was really old and deteriorated but it wasn’t. And they weren’t on the bottom where it gets stretched the most. That’s bugging me.