Driveshaft Bellow, can't get ring on.

[ericp501]

I had mentioned in another link how I had a "mechanic" come swap my bellows. I just pulled my outdrive to do a cable swap and my drive shaft bellow was only half on and caked with epoxy. So I'm trying to put a new ring on the bellow, but I can not for the life of me get this thing on! I've tried hammering it in and just making it fit in.. How do you do this?!

 

[achris]

Re: Driveshaft Bellow, can't get ring on.

What are you working on, Alpha, Alpha Gen II, Bravo....????

 

[ericp501]

Re: Driveshaft Bellow, can't get ring on.

alpha gen 2.. I don't have the exact "tool" but made one just like it.. I tried hammering it on and I keep popping the bellow off.

 

[Don S]

Re: Driveshaft Bellow, can't get ring on.

Spray it with some Mercury power tune and you can push it in gently. You will have to hold it there for about 10 seconds, or it will squirt back out of the bellows. Most any Merc dealer will have it.

 

[ericp501]

Re: Driveshaft Bellow, can't get ring on.

I ended up using 3 clamps or vices. One on top and 2 on the sides, ran 3 metal plates under the vices wedging the bellow ring on those 3 sides.. Then I just had to tap the last side with a hammer till it popped on. The vises stopped it from popping off on another side as I hammered. Worked very well.

 

[Don S]

Re: Driveshaft Bellow, can't get ring on.

Way to go. If it don't fit, force it ................. :facepalm:

 

[Pete104]

Re: Driveshaft Bellow, can't get ring on.

I ended up using 3 clamps or vices. One on top and 2 on the sides, ran 3 metal plates under the vices wedging the bellow ring on those 3 sides.. Then I just had to tap the last side with a hammer till it popped on. The vises stopped it from popping off on another side as I hammered. Worked very well.

Are you sure that you got the bellows to the proper groove? That sealing shoulder has, like a half groove then the main "sealing" position. Then the ring slides almost effortlessly!

 

[ericp501]

Re: Driveshaft Bellow, can't get ring on.

Are you sure that you got the bellows to the proper groove? That sealing shoulder has, like a half groove then the main "sealing" position. Then the ring slides almost effortlessly!

Yea I looked at the other bellow to be sure.. Like I said I had a boat mechanic come put my bellows on for me for $200.. figured it was worth it for my first time pulling an outdrive.. He didn't do a very good job from what im seeing since the exhaust bellow popped off and now this happened.. The bellow was in place right but wouldn't sit in the grove very well, too much lip. It's in now and going no where.

 

[Pete104]

Re: Driveshaft Bellow, can't get ring on.

Just askin'!