U Joint bellows orientation

[HPwannabe]

Hi all,
I'm getting ready to install the bellows on alpha1 gen1, and there is no marking on the bellows as to position, as is mentioned in various manuals. I've looked under the clamps, inside and out, nothing. The bellows has two "flats" on it on one end. Are these an indicator of position? Appreciate the help.

 

[achris]

You bought aftermarket. Send them back and buy genuine...

Chris...

 

[HPwannabe]

Yes I did. I have found aftermarket products usually do the job just fine on parts that get changed out frequently anyway.
I have deduced from interwebs searching that the flats go forward, left and right.

 

[achris]

Yes I did. I have found aftermarket products usually do the job just fine on parts that get changed out frequently anyway.

Having replaced MANY bellows,I can assure you that the Merc genuine ones are significantly easier to put in, and last considerably longer. My 2006 engine is still on the original bellows, and my previous engine, a 1994, only had one new in the time I owned it.

Especially rubber parts, the small amount you save buying aftermarket is lost very quickly in a much shorter life. It's a 'false economy'... Initially genuine cost more to buy, but the extra life you get out of them makes them actually cheaper... Food for thought...

Chris....

 

[JASinIL2006]

Replacing bellows was not a fun task. No way I'd do it with anything but genuine Mercruiser/Quicksilver bellows.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... I used a Sierra once, it lasted 8 years,.....

When I took it off, it was nearly twice it's original size, due to grease swelling,....

I put a Merc. Oem back on,....

 

[Lou C]

For some things it just makes more sense to go OEM, for bellows & impellers, things you really don't want to fail. I have had OEM OMC/Volvo bellows last 10+ years, at that point you start to see small cracks starting, that's a good time to replace before you have an issue. The OEM ones don't swell but you can feel the rubber gradually gets stiffer. Now I have no problem going aftermarket for things like exhaust, I used Barr last time I changed mine....

 

[j cat]

Hi all,
I'm getting ready to install the bellows on alpha1 gen1, and there is no marking on the bellows as to position, as is mentioned in various manuals. I've looked under the clamps, inside and out, nothing. The bellows has two "flats" on it on one end. Are these an indicator of position? Appreciate the help.

what I like is,,, clean the corrosion alum then paint the alum ...primer and lacquer paint ..then after a few days I install the rubber bellows ...no CCP rubber ! s/steel clamps and inspect those hinge pins clean them and install them ...