Alpha 1 Gen 2 U-Joint Bellows Retaining Ring

[ejessen89]

Hey All, I have searched and not found this exact issue.

I have an Alpha 1 Gen 2 outdrive that needed a bellows replacement. Order the amazon special (which may be part of the problem) and got everything installed this week except the Retaining Ring for the U-Joint Bellows. It appears that the wall thickness of the U-Joint bellows that enters the Bell housing is thicker than than the OEM Bellows was. I have the original Retaining ring as well as the new retaining ring that came with the kit, and the new one is slightly larger (maybe 1/32 or 1/16 larger diameter than OEM).

The issue is that the ID of the retaining ring is about 3/8" larger than the ID of the U-Joint bellows. I have the official installation tool to seat the retaining ring, but I don't see any realistic way that this going to work and not just push the bellows back out as I tap on it.

Edit: To clarify, the bellows does have the ring built in that fits into the groove in the Bell housing. I pried it back in several spot to ensure the ring was seated properly in the groove, and it is seated correctly. The issue seems to be the rubber is too thick on the bellows/the retaining ring is too large in diameter.

I currently have the retaining ring in the freezer to shrink it and gain as much clearance as possible, but other Idea is to possibly just glue the bellows to the Bell housing and call it good. As mentioned above, the new Amazon U-Joint Bellows is pretty stout and would take a considerable amount of force to remove from the bell housing, and I feel that the adhesive would help seal her up.

Any insights and suggestions are appreciated, and I am really hoping to not start all over on this project with a new set of bellows.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Not sure what the cure is for aftermarket rubber. Use carb cleaner, or as most everyone suggests Merc Power Tune carb cleaner, as a lubricant when installing the ring. Last one I did I pushed with a small wooden dowel and my fingers to get the ring on. Goes on easy when lubricated - but I only have used OEM Mercruiser rubber parts on my boat.

No way I'd do without. You can bring in more water than your bilge pump can pump or your passengers can bail with a loose bellows.

 

[ejessen89]

Thank you for your input, and I agree, better safe than sorry. It’s a shame because everything else went together so smoothly, and I tried to get creative by trimming and tapering the edge, messed around with the glue for a bit, but ended up ordering the Mercruiser U-Joint bellows by itself just to be safe.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I’d return the Amazon knockoff bellows and get OEM belliws.

 

[Bondo]

Hey All, I have searched and not found this exact issue.

I have an Alpha 1 Gen 2 outdrive that needed a bellows replacement. Order the amazon special (which may be part of the problem) and got everything installed this week except the Retaining Ring for the U-Joint Bellows. It appears that the wall thickness of the U-Joint bellows that enters the Bell housing is thicker than than the OEM Bellows was. I have the original Retaining ring as well as the new retaining ring that came with the kit, and the new one is slightly larger (maybe 1/32 or 1/16 larger diameter than OEM).

The issue is that the ID of the retaining ring is about 3/8" larger than the ID of the U-Joint bellows. I have the official installation tool to seat the retaining ring, but I don't see any realistic way that this going to work and not just push the bellows back out as I tap on it.

Edit: To clarify, the bellows does have the ring built in that fits into the groove in the Bell housing. I pried it back in several spot to ensure the ring was seated properly in the groove, and it is seated correctly. The issue seems to be the rubber is too thick on the bellows/the retaining ring is too large in diameter.

I currently have the retaining ring in the freezer to shrink it and gain as much clearance as possible, but other Idea is to possibly just glue the bellows to the Bell housing and call it good. As mentioned above, the new Amazon U-Joint Bellows is pretty stout and would take a considerable amount of force to remove from the bell housing, and I feel that the adhesive would help seal her up.

Any insights and suggestions are appreciated, and I am really hoping to not start all over on this project with a new set of bellows.

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... Get yerself a can of Quicksilver Power Tune, 'n squirt the rubber where the ring goes, 'n Push,......
It'll fall into place,......

Don't run it without the ring, glued or not,....

 

[ejessen89]

Yep, definitely want the ring in there. The new Mercruiser bellows I just ordered has it included so I should be all set in a day or two.

Here’s a photo of the goofy Amazon special, with the original retaining ring that I straightened out and set in there for reference. Can’t believe someone would ship this thinking no one would notice or say anything.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Big problem with Amazon is the seller looks like it's Amazon but it is anyone with something to pass off as a good product and cannot sell it any other way. All Amazon cares about is you move stuff and they make money. No way in most cases even to tell manufacturer unless specifically spec'd, and even then I'd bet a month's wage a huge percentage of 'named brand' stuff is counterfeit. Amazon doesn't care as long as they don't get stink stuck to them.

 

[ScottinAZ]

Big problem with Amazon is the seller looks like it's Amazon but it is anyone with something to pass off as a good product and cannot sell it any other way. All Amazon cares about is you move stuff and they make money. No way in most cases even to tell manufacturer unless specifically spec'd, and even then I'd bet a month's wage a huge percentage of 'named brand' stuff is counterfeit. Amazon doesn't care as long as they don't get stink stuck to them.

100% agreed. lots of chinesium parts that dont quite work as advertized or pack it in after a short while..... the internet is a dangerous place for the unwary.

 

[ejessen89]

Thank you guys for the help and advice. I received the quicksilver U-joint bellows yesterday, and it went in perfect. Amazing what a difference it was to install, and the retaining ring pushed on using the installing tool and my hand no problem. Definitely worth doing it right here, and a lesson learned in using the “Amazon special” for a repair like this.