Bellows kit

[not enuf toys]

Hey guys!

its that time, bellows need replaced (along with a couple other things while i am there - trim sender/limit)

couple of quick questions:

~ is this job doable myself? very handy around a car/house/damn near anything else
~ or should i have a marina do it?

~ This particular kit from sierra or go after the OEM Mercruiser kit? Transom Seal Kit for Mercruiser 30-803099T1, GLM 21960 - Sierra 18-8206

The drive is an alpha one gen two

As of right now, i do not have any of the special tools - are there any that are a must have? i have read that the hinge pins can be removed by an inner allen apposed to the torque/hex bit. is that true?

any help would be much appreciated - i can get into a marina here in about a week, but would love to save the labor money if i can do it myself - question again, can i do it myself?

 

[flipbro]

Re: Bellows kit

1/2 inch allen wrench. will work. Very doable if your handy. Save your self a headache and spring 4 oem fits much much better!

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Bellows kit

~ is this job doable myself?....~ or should i have a marina do it?.....alpha one gen two, i do not have any of the special tools - are there any that are a must have?....any help would be much appreciated....can i do it myself?

Have you read through the manual to see the tools involved and the steps needed to help you decide? Also search for some videos (they are out there) and watch those then make a decision as you must feel comfortable in trying.....
Boatinfo - Mercruiser Service Manual nr. 14 - 1991-Current - Sterndrives Alpha One Gen II</

Boatinfo - Mercruiser Service Manual nr. 14 - 1991-Current - Sterndrives Alpha One Gen II</

Mark

 

[pyrotek]

Re: Bellows kit

You'll need a sleeve installation tool that presses against the sleeve that clamps the u-joint bellows. You don't need the removal tool. Instead you just bend and destroy the old one. This is usually included in alignment kits you can find on the internet/ebay.

I would also buy the $20 hinge pin tool. You want as much surface area as possible to get into the bolt head. They are installed with 150 lb-ft. They also use red locktite rated at something like 300 or 400 ft lbs to break it free. Also get OEM here, since some aftermarket ones use softer metal.

Agree with buying OEM bellows as well.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Bellows kit

I would go OEM. If the exhaust belows is in good shape, reuse it and save a little $.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Bellows kit

When it is time to replace your bellows ALWAYS go OEM. They slide on like a glove and you'll be using every curse word in the book if you don't.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bellows kit

You'll need a sleeve installation tool that presses against the sleeve that clamps the u-joint bellows. You don't need the removal tool. Instead you just bend and destroy the old one. This is usually included in alignment kits you can find on the internet/ebay.

I would also buy the $20 hinge pin tool. You want as much surface area as possible to get into the bolt head. They are installed with 150 lb-ft. They also use red locktite rated at something like 300 or 400 ft lbs to break it free. Also get OEM here, since some aftermarket ones use softer metal.

Agree with buying OEM bellows as well.

Ayuh,.... For the lockin' ring installation, instead of the Tool,...
Get a can of Merc's Power Tune,...
A quick squirt of it in the area of the ring, 'n push it in with yer fingers, 'n hold it for, say 10 seconds,...
The Power Tune evaporates, 'n it's In,...

For the hinge pins,.... Heat softens the lock-tite,...
'n No Way, yer gonna get 150ft.lbs. torque on threads that tiny,....
Without lookin' it up, I'm thinkin' it's more like 30ftlbs...
Anyways,... a 1/2" allen key, is more than sufficient,...

 

[achris]

Re: Bellows kit

Agree with most of the above, especially about OEM bellows. I've used both.... Well, I used non-genuine once... Hinge Pin torque is 102 lb-ft.... And that's from the book. Manual #14... With the bellows, just clean the gimbal housing mounting surface and use bellows adhesive when you go to put it all back together... Do it BY THE BOOK and you shouldn't have any problems.

Manual #14, if you need to download it.

Chris....

 

[pyrotek]

Re: Bellows kit

Opps, thinking of bravo with 150 ft lbs. Either way, the point was its a lot and sometimes hard to get undone.

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: Bellows kit

thanks guys!

I am going to start today pulling er apart - I am sure i will be back with questions

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: Bellows kit

everything came out alright (except the gimble bearing as I have no idea where my slide hammer is - tomorrow project after I find one)

would like to go with the OEM bellow kit - where can I find that? having a hard time finding OEM and not aftermarket

what are your suggestions on OEM/aftermarket for:
~trim switches
~ gimble bearing
~ possible shift cable (its actually in good shape - should I replace any way while I have it out?)

 

[thumpar]

Re: Bellows kit

Have you checked the bearing to see if it actually needs replaced?

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: Bellows kit

that's what prompted this project. End of last year I was getting a vibration when the drive was a little up/down or to the left. when the boat was in water and running, you could hear a lobing sound. I had it out once this year and there was a good amount of water coming out of the drain plug when I pulled it - which this boat typically does not take on water. later that night I checked the bellows and that's when I noticed the small hole in the ujoint bellow - which made sense that the gimble would be going out from the water passing through it.

I cleaned the splattered grease off of it and gave it a few turns by hand. there is definitely a rough spot in it - its not overly bad or loud, but it should/will be replaced.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Bellows kit

Yea I would definitely replace it. They should be silky smooth. Make sure you check over the u-joints too.

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: Bellows kit

the ujoints were actually as smooth as could be. like they were still new (they were replaced in the winter of 09)

Any thoughts on where to get the OEM bellows kit? I found one from Michigan Motors for $188 and BPI for $149 (need to verify with them tomorrow that it is OEM)

What are your thoughts on replacing the lower shift cable while I am there? I have the whole cable out and it still guides smooth. a hair stiffer than before, but not much

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bellows kit

the ujoints were actually as smooth as could be. like they were still new (they were replaced in the winter of 09)

Any thoughts on where to get the OEM bellows kit? I found one from Michigan Motors for $188 and BPI for $149 (need to verify with them tomorrow that it is OEM)

What are your thoughts on replacing the lower shift cable while I am there? I have the whole cable out and it still guides smooth. a hair stiffer than before, but not much

Ayuh,... I've been usin' Sierra kits for years, with very good results,.... Just like the ones here at iboats,...

For a Merc cable, I buy it from my local Merc guy for the same price as on-line,...

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: Bellows kit

Bondo - are you thinking I should replace the shift cable while its out?

 

[thumpar]

Re: Bellows kit

How old is the shift cable?

 

[achris]

Re: Bellows kit

I've used A/M bellows, once... Never again. Just too damn hard to put on. The Merc ones slip straight on, and the rubber seems to be more compliant. I'd get them from one of the Merc online dealers, like Mercury Mercruiser engines and parts Same with shift cable, I use the Merc one because it's cheaper than the A/M ones (go figure :noidea... As for replacing it. If it's already out and you can feel it's stiffer, then put a new one in...

Chris....

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bellows kit

Bondo - are you thinking I should replace the shift cable while its out?

Ayuh,.... If You don't know when it was last replaced, or if it's been 5 years or so,....

Ya, No doubt, do it while yer in there,...