Removing the transom side usually is required for easier access. Never really tried because by the time the hose is needed the other rubber parts need service too
the main bellow, if its soft and mushy its done
shift bellow, usually dryrots or tears the end off
shift cable ,stick, hard shifting, engine dies shifting
Not a difficult job . some tedious patrs but nothing terrible. manuals are available to get you thru it and also u-tube videos
I replaced the water hose on my Bravo outdrives with out removing the u-joint bellows. The alpha drive is probably similar in that regard. You will have to remove the bell housing, which will require a new insert ring for the bellows once you put it all back together.
Make sure you have the special tools for the water hose fitting and for the bellows insert.
You might be able to do it, but it will be a pain. The problem is that even if you can get to the clamp on the bellhousing side you can't get the hose onto the transom side fitting (you just will not be able to slide the hose on because there is not enough room) without removing the fitting from inside the boat, that allows you to get the hose on. Take a good look at the transom side fittings to see what is involved. As I recall ( it has been a while). I assume you are seeing some cracks in the hose? It is a lot easier if you remove the bellhousing but if you do that you might as well go ahead and do the bellows because chances are you will damage them in the process.
Here is how you do it. Remove the main water intake hose inside the boat. Renove the two bolts holding the nipple it attaches to.Then cut the hose where it attaches to the bellhousing. Pull the hose attached to the nipple through and out the back of the boat.Now you need to cut your new hose exactly the right length. Slip a piece of wire through the transom hole and anchor it in the engine compartment. Now attach the nipple to the new hose and sleeve it over the wire.Hold the end of the wire and push the hose and nipple into the transom hole,clamp the nipple from inside the boat,re attach the main intake hose in the engine compartment and finally attach the hose to the bell housing. All done with the drive full up.No sweat.
