1988 cobra bellows replacement

[nportwine]

Need some guidance here, noticed some water in the bilge and have never had an issue with that before. When drive is trimmed up, some visible wear is obvious on the u joint bellow. I ordered a new one and pulled drive. Gimbal bearing seems to spin smooth with no sound. My question is, how do I get this bellow off? Do I need to remove more, or is removing the drive enough? Also, what is the procedure for reinstall? It sounds like a need a bellows adhesive, forgot to order any, is this something that could be found locally? Thanks in advance!

 

[Lou C]

The best way is to remove the pivot housing that way you can make sure you are getting the bellows properly seated on the flange of the gimble housing. If the shift cable is in good shape and properly adjusted you don’t have to disconnect it and then have to redo the adjustment. What I do is disconnect the cable up on the engine bracket which will allow the cable to slide out enough for the pivot housing to come back far enough to replace the bellows.

 

[nportwine]

The best way is to remove the pivot housing that way you can make sure you are getting the bellows properly seated on the flange of the gimble housing. If the shift cable is in good shape and properly adjusted you don’t have to disconnect it and then have to redo the adjustment. What I do is disconnect the cable up on the engine bracket which will allow the cable to slide out enough for the pivot housing to come back far enough to replace the bellows.

Makes sense. Do OMCs use bellow adhesive? Is there anything local I can use so I dont have to wait a week to order some?

 

[Lou C]

I would very carefully clean the flange and you can use Permatex Aviation instead of Merc Perfect Seal or OMC gasket sealer (the last 2 are actually the same product). Do a search on my user name I have posted pix of the bellows and how the flange has a groove in it for the rib in the sealing surface of the bellows to fit into. Position the clamp screw between 1-2 o’clock position. Use a hood marine grease where the other end pops into the pivot housing, also where the bearing carrier presses into the bellows when you install the drive.
hope that helps!

 

[Lou C]

here are the bellows pix...

 

[nportwine]

here are the bellows pix...

Thanks for the pics, I just got my old bellow off, it appears the same as the new one except for some flanges on the edge going into the lower unit, the new one does not have those flanges. Will I be okay?

 

[nportwine]

It also came with this ring, didn’t see one when taking off the old one so not sure where it’s supposed to go or if it’s needed

 

[Lou C]

is that an OE bellows or aftermarket? For things like driveshaft bellows and impellers I like to use OE....

 

[nportwine]

is that an OE bellows or aftermarket? For things like driveshaft bellows and impellers I like to use OE....

It was an aftermarket, said it replaced the OE part number. I’m in college so budget things are up my alley lol. I will go OE next time. Seemed to fit good and got everything all installed and buttoned back up. Hopefully all goes well on the trip out. Thanks again for the help, will report back if all goes well!