Bravo 3 Shift cable bellows

nitsuj

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Jul 22, 2003
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On the bravo 3, to replace the shift cable and bellows, does the bell housing have to come off or can I get away with just removing the drive and fishing it through? U Joint bellows is good and relatively new.

Thanks, as always.
 

alldodge

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On the bravo 3, to replace the shift cable and bellows, does the bell housing have to come off or can I get away with just removing the drive and fishing it through? U Joint bellows is good and relatively new.

Thanks, as always.

I can be done, be a bit harder but can be done easy enough
 

eric102

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Aug 28, 2018
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Just did the shift cable and shift bellows on my 7.4 Bravo without removing the bell housing and thought it was pretty easy considering it was my first time.

The only thing I wasn't sure of was which order to do the bellows and fish the cable. I chose to glue the bellows on first since there isn't a lot of room to work with and then push/fish the cable through it. The new bellows cable hole is pretty tight so pushing the cable through it while fishing it around the engine took some time and a little bit of grease on the cable jacket.

The more experienced folks here will probably be able to tell you which is easier, cable first or glue the bellows on first. I had seen it both ways on Youtube.

Good luck!
 

nitsuj

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Jul 22, 2003
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483
ing the cable through it while fishing it around the engine took some time and a little bit of grease on the cable jacket.

The more experienced folks here will probably be able to tell you which is easier, cable first or glue the bellows on first. I had seen it both ways on Youtube.

Good luck!

Thanks for the input! I don't suppose you have links to any of the youtube videos? I've been searching, but I'm not finding much. Everything I can find shows doing it the hard way.
 

alldodge

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Disconnect shaft cable at both ends and remove the core. Then remove barrel end and make what is shown below. Attach piece to end of outer jacket and pull thru and out. Attach new and pull back thru. Use good Nylon string

Bravo cable string tool.jpg
 

eric102

Seaman
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Aug 28, 2018
Messages
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Thanks for the input! I don't suppose you have links to any of the youtube videos? I've been searching, but I'm not finding much. Everything I can find shows doing it the hard way.

Sorry I didn't save any links. I just remember some would glue the shift bellows on first and then push the cable through it and at least one or more slid the new bellows onto the cable first, then snaked the cable into the boat and then glued the bellows on last. It may have been a mix of Alpha and Bravo videos and some with the bell housing off and some with it on, kind of a blur to me now.
 

nitsuj

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Jul 22, 2003
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483
Disconnect shaft cable at both ends and remove the core. Then remove barrel end and make what is shown below. Attach piece to end of outer jacket and pull thru and out. Attach new and pull back thru. Use good Nylon string


Thank you, that’s helpful! That gets the cable in, but how to I get the bellows on it? Or does your instructions figure the bellows is already clamped in place?

Edit: While I’m asking dumb questions, I’ve seen several references to gluing the bellows in, but I’ve also see it hose clamped. And it comes with a little squeeze clamp for the small end, but I’ve also seen it ziptied. Comments?
 

alldodge

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The shift cable bellows uses a hose clamp on the large end and can use one on the small. I use a heavy tie wrap
 

nitsuj

Chief Petty Officer
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Jul 22, 2003
Messages
483
Did this job tonight. Wasn't bad. Hardest part was working the bellows over the cable sheath. Thats a tight fit! Lubed it up with soap, and used a small plastic funnel to push it along. Worked perfect.
 
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