Lower Unit (3) rubber boots broken...water coming in through back of boat?

[rsi444]

Went to go fishing the other day, launched the boat and noticed water coming into boat (where lower unit is attached). Pulled boat out and looked at the lower unit. I can see that there are three "acordion-like" rubber boots which must keep the water out when working right. The Large boot is broken on one side and the (2) smaller boots also are cracked open. What are these boots called and can I replace them myself? Trying to save money wherever I can.

 

[Don S]

Re: Lower Unit (3) rubber boots broken...water coming in through back of boat?

They are called bellows.

What are we working on?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Lower Unit (3) rubber boots broken...water coming in through back of boat?

Went to go fishing the other day, launched the boat and noticed water coming into boat (where lower unit is attached). Pulled boat out and looked at the lower unit. I can see that there are three "acordion-like" rubber boots which must keep the water out when working right. The Large boot is broken on one side and the (2) smaller boots also are cracked open. What are these boots called and can I replace them myself? Trying to save money wherever I can.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... They're called Bellows,...

The larger top 1 is the drive shaft bellows, it'll leak water into the boat, 'n ruin the gimbel bearin' on it's way past it,...
The tiniest 1 is the shift cable bellows, it'll also leak into the boat, ruinin' the lower shift cable at the same time,...
The big lower 1 is the exhaust bellows, which has water on both sides all the time anyways,...

It's quite a job to swap 'em, but hundreds, probably thousands of posters here have done it,...
Lots of Info is up in the Adults Only section at the top of this forum,...
Stop in, 'n look 'round,...

 

[TheHunter990]

Re: Lower Unit (3) rubber boots broken...water coming in through back of boat?

They are called bellows.

You need to take the drive off the boat.
The large bellows has the drive shaft running inside, it's not bad to replace.
The smaller bellows below (or above?) the large bellow is the exhaust, it's also not bad to replace.
The last one is the shift cable bellows, It's a bit of a pita to get apart, and might require special tools, we gave up on changing that one on our boat.

You need bellows adhesive. (silicone basically), clean all surfaces, apply adhesive, and put bellows on, tighten clamps.
You will need a helper for sure

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Lower Unit (3) rubber boots broken...water coming in through back of boat?

You need bellows adhesive. (silicone basically), clean all surfaces, apply adhesive, and put bellows on, tighten clamps.
You will need a helper for sure

Bellows adhesive is not silicone,do not use silicone on any bellows. Use bellows adhesive!

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: Lower Unit (3) rubber boots broken...water coming in through back of boat?

I paid a merc mechanic I found on craigslist 175.00 to install all new bellows and lower shift cable for me. He was fast only took him 15 minutes. zero problems so far on mine.

 

[cannonford57]

Re: Lower Unit (3) rubber boots broken...water coming in through back of boat?

musta had a little downtime from his superhero job to change all in 15 min...there is hope for old guys like us I guess

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Lower Unit (3) rubber boots broken...water coming in through back of boat?

Wow 15 min! My best time was 2 hours,but I must have had an extremely good day? Lol
Grub