Bellows question

[Zim]

Well my drive is in getting the top half rebuilt right now due to what I think was a leaky U joint bellow. I looked in there, and while looking at it from the back I can see what appears to be a little metal pin like thing sticking through the bellow on the left side. Is this normal or is there probably where I got my leak? I also looked at the shift cable bellow and theres an obvious rip in that, although it looks like it just covers a cable and doesnt really keep water out of U joint area. Am I correct about the shift cable bellow? I plan to replace it anyway, but am just looking for where my water entry problem is. Inside my U joint bellow theres lots of gooky gross stuff so I know its had water in there, not to mention the water that came out when I pulled the drive. Are these an easy replacement? From what I've read it sounds like the exhaust bellow is the hard part, but that one looks fine. Any advice on replacing the U-joint and shift cable bellows? What else should I check that might have leaked?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Bellows question

I looked in there, and while looking at it from the back I can see what appears to be a little metal pin like thing sticking through the bellow on the left side.

Yup! That is your leak.....
There should be nothing sticking out of the bellows, period!
I would pull on the 'pin' & see what happens......
Hard to say what it actually is.....
Anyway, the exhaust bellows will go back on easy if it has been on for awhile.....
It's the new ones that are trouble.....
Cuz you are putting a round hose on an oval hole....
If it been on awhile it has all ready taken on a 'set' in shape.......
The shift cable bellow & shift cable should be replaced at the same time because they have approximately the same life expectancy as the u joint bellows......
One more thing, you should be getting the bottom part of the gear case redone as well....
They are connected & if you got water in the top half of the drive, you got it in the lower as well......
It may be cheaper to get a new SEI aftermarket drive off of ebay for $1195...........
Here is a link to Merc. manual #6......
You know after typing all of this, I just realized that you didn't say what drive you have, the above advice is only good for gen 1 Alphas.......
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf
Hope I didn't waste my time....Good luck!....

 

[Zim]

Re: Bellows question

Gen I alpha drive is what I have, and the lower was looked over... just not a complete rebuild. It was resealed and holds pressure and vacuum fine, parts were looked over etc. It was really the upper half that wasnt even close to being in good condition.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Bellows question

So, something was done to it....
Which is good.....
It kind of sounded like nothing was going to be done to it......
The bellows is a DIY, if you have the tools & inclination.....
You will save big $ if you choose that route.....
The only special tools you will need are the shift cable tool & the hinge pin tool.......

 

[Zim]

Re: Bellows question

Well I went and pulled on that metal with some pliers and it appears it wasnt something that was through the bellow, but instead it was a metal coiled up wire that looked like it held the round integrity of the bellow itself. Are these things supported with a metal "frame" at all?

Where can I get those tools at Haut?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Bellows question

The answer to your first question is: yes....
That metal 'spring' is supposed to be inside the rubber...
That's your leak......
2) Look on ebay on the auctions or stores....
You should not paty more than $20. for either item....
I just saw the cable socket on auction for $6.00....
A merc dealer would have them too....
I did see a hinge pin tool listed as well, but that is more of an EZ out & not what you need, (hopefully)....
You need a 12 point tool.....
Unless your rig is real old & has the older style hinge pins.......
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hing...102188287QQcategoryZ50442QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merc...104307127QQcategoryZ31283QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
You might be able to buy them at iboats......

 

[SteveNix]

Re: Bellows question

a 1/2 Allen key with a pipe for leverage works instead of the 12 sided tool. But use caution and do it very slowly. make sure you heat up those hing pins first to release the thread locker.

 

[Zim]

Re: Bellows question

where are the pins at? I dont see them on the hinges, I just see the trim limiter sensors...

Also, what grade lock tite do i need?

 

[Don S]

Re: Bellows question

The hinge pins are under the trim limit & trim sender switches
Did you look at that service manual link Haut gave you back at the beginning of the thread? That would have answered both those questions.

 

[Zim]

Re: Bellows question

The hinge pins are under the trim limit & trim sender switches
Did you look at that service manual link Haut gave you back at the beginning of the thread? That would have answered both those questions.

Yes I looked at it, and I picked up a service manual today when I picked up my drive. I apologize for causing an extra 2 lines of text for my incompetence.

 

[tommays]

Re: Bellows question

i see red dots on Dons head

Tommays

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Bellows question

NOW, NOW!.....
Be nice........
I will stay your flogging...
For now!.......