Destroyed U joint bellows putting on retaining ring

[bashr52]

All I had left to do in my bellows replacement project was put the U-joint retaining ring on, and the ring wouldn't seat inside the bellow, it just pushed it out the back side of the tilt assembly and ripped off the bellow retaining ring in the process. I'm using the special tool required to press it in, and lubricated everything as instructed in the manual. I've got to get another bellow now, but before I destroyed another one, anyone have any tips/tricks to make this go smoother?

Looks like no fishing for me next weekend....

 

[alldodge]

All I had left to do in my bellows replacement project was put the U-joint retaining ring on, and the ring wouldn't seat inside the bellow, it just pushed it out the back side of the tilt assembly and ripped off the bellow retaining ring in the process. I'm using the special tool required to press it in, and lubricated everything as instructed in the manual. I've got to get another bellow now, but before I destroyed another one, anyone have any tips/tricks to make this go smoother?

Looks like no fishing for me next weekend....

My first guess is the bellows was not in the correct position when the ring was being pressed in.

 

[khe]

Aftermarket or Mercruiser bellows? Some of the aftermarket bellows do not have the radius on the edge which causes all sorts of installation issues.

 

[bashr52]

My first guess is the bellows was not in the correct position when the ring was being pressed in.

Yep, that's exactly how it was installed. The outer edge of the bellows that sits over the ledge on the tilt housing is what was ripped off (left side of the "b" bellows in the lower image). How far is the ring supposed to press into the bellow? I could push it into the bellows by hand so the edge of the ring was butted up against the bellow. Isn't the ring supposed to press on and expand the bellow tight against the housing?

Mercruser bellow, not aftermarket.

 

[Rick Stephens]

The ring goes on flush. It does not take all that much pressure to get a properly lubed and aligned ring in, did you try and hammer it on? I can see that easily cutting the rubber between metal installing tool and metal bell housing lip. If you use carb cleaner as a lubricant the ring goes on really easy by hand once everything is fitted up straight.

 

[bashr52]

How far is far enough? The ring easily pushed in to the bellow by hand without the tool, but only went in up to the collar on the ring. I could pull it out easily by hand as well. That can't be far enough as there is not enough pressure there to keep the bellow seated in the groove. Doesn't it press in to the point the rubber on the bellow is flush with the rear lip of the ring? That way the ring would force the bellow to stay tight on the housing and not want to pull out.

 

[Grub54891]

What did you lube the ring with?

 

[alldodge]

How far is far enough? The ring easily pushed in to the bellow by hand without the tool, but only went in up to the collar on the ring. I could pull it out easily by hand as well. That can't be far enough as there is not enough pressure there to keep the bellow seated in the groove. Doesn't it press in to the point the rubber on the bellow is flush with the rear lip of the ring? That way the ring would force the bellow to stay tight on the housing and not want to pull out.

That is as far as it goes.

 

[khe]

How far is far enough? The ring easily pushed in to the bellow by hand without the tool, but only went in up to the collar on the ring. I could pull it out easily by hand as well. That can't be far enough as there is not enough pressure there to keep the bellow seated in the groove. Doesn't it press in to the point the rubber on the bellow is flush with the rear lip of the ring? That way the ring would force the bellow to stay tight on the housing and not want to pull out.

I recently R&R'd my bellows ring when I replaced my gear oil line and was surprised at how easy it went on. Once the solvent evaporates, it will be tight. Even if it wasn't, the circular "snout" of outdrive would block it in place.