Bellows - Inspect or preventive replacement

[sprobst]

I've owned my boat (1998) with an Alpha Gen II drive for about 2 years. For the past 2 years, I've removed the drive and inspected the bellows in the fall (as part of my fall, DIY drive maintenance). Everything looks good to me and there is no signs of water intrusion. The bellows show know signs of cracking.

I store my boat inside and store the drive in the down position so the bellows are well taken care of. But, since I'm unsure when the bellows were last replaced by the previous owner, I'm sort-of wondering when to replace them. I could continue to inspect yearly and replace them when they are showing signs of age/cracking or I could pre-emptively replace them.

What is your opinion on bellows replacement? Do you replace on a schedule or do you replace when showing signs of deterioration?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bellows - Inspect or preventive replacement

I've owned my boat (1998) with an Alpha Gen II drive for about 2 years. For the past 2 years, I've removed the drive and inspected the bellows in the fall (as part of my fall, DIY drive maintenance). Everything looks good to me and there is no signs of water intrusion. The bellows show know signs of cracking.

I store my boat inside and store the drive in the down position so the bellows are well taken care of. But, since I'm unsure when the bellows were last replaced by the previous owner, I'm sort-of wondering when to replace them. I could continue to inspect yearly and replace them when they are showing signs of age/cracking or I could pre-emptively replace them.

What is your opinion on bellows replacement? Do you replace on a schedule or do you replace when showing signs of deterioration?

Howdy,


You're doing a pretty good job of doing the recommended maintenance! Mine is as old as yours and I am watching my Bellows closely too.

If I was keeping my boat in the water year round I might replace mine on a schedule........ keeping in dry storage and checking it every year (end-of-season/winterization) is a good way to catch problems before they become problems.

My Bravo owners manual (1997) indicates to simply check the bellows and clamps yearly. Your Alpha manual should be similar.

I have heard that after-market bellows are not as "good" as OEM. you'll get a LOT of arguments both ways..... Since you change them so infrequently, it's probably worth it to buy the OEM.

If you're looking it over closely every year, I think you can change it when it "looks" like it needs changing....



Regards,


Rick

 

[98Shabah]

Re: Bellows - Inspect or preventive replacement

My boat is a 1998 with an Alpha 1 Gen II with around 250hrs and on the original bellows. It's trailered and stored indoors with the drive down. There is no water intrusion and the outdrive has never been removed. This year as part of the winterization I do plan to pull the drive and inspect the bellows.

 

[fmalott]

Re: Bellows - Inspect or preventive replacement

i heard a thousand times to replace every 2 years

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bellows - Inspect or preventive replacement

i heard a thousand times to replace every 2 years

Ayuh,.... Never heard that,....
'round here, a dock boat usually shows crackin' after 5 to 8 years,...
I got 10 outa the 1 on my tin barge, just did 'em a year ago last spring....

I'm sort-of wondering when to replace them. I could continue to inspect yearly and replace them when they are showing signs of age/cracking or

I agree with Rick,... Yer doin' a Great job of keepin' an eye on 'em,....
I'd keep doin' what yer doin', til ya see crackin', 'n checkin' in the bottom of the grooves, outside the bellows...
That seems to be the 1st sign of impending failure the next season later...

Btw,... When ya get to that point, plan on doin' the lower shift cable at the same time....

 

[sprobst]

Re: Bellows - Inspect or preventive replacement

Thanks to everyone.

I plan to continue to inspect yearly. If I get real ambitious in a couple of years, I'll tackle it but I'm in no real hurry as I know it's a fairly big job.