Mercruiser bellows question

[Cptkid570]

Hi everyone,
I?m getting ready to install all new rubber in my 1985 Mercruiser Alpha One transom (U-Joint bellow, Exhaust Bellow, Water Tube, shift cable boot thing). Also going to put in a new gimball bearing. Apparently the bearing in there now doesn?t like the salt water that was leaking in from the old U-joint bellow.

Anyway, I?m hoping to get some advice from everyone who has changed these things out before and some helpful hints to make this go smoother. I know I can find a million posts on this and I have the service manual, but it doesn?t give things that I would like to hear ? like what to put where first? do I first attach the U-Joint bellow to the outdrive side or the transom side? How about the water tube, when should I do that? Or taking apart that plastic thing on the shift cable?

Just want to see what everyone?s experiences are and what I can do to make it easier on me.

Thank you in advance for any answers.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Mercruiser bellows question

After re-reading my post, I?m going to reword this and ask ? what is the best procedure for putting everything back together? Do I put all rubber onto the bell housing/outdrive side while it is off and then attach the other end to the transom side ? and then put the hinge pins back in?

It just seems so cramped in there, any pointers would help!

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Mercruiser bellows question

If you read closely, this IS covered in the service manual.

But basically you attach the drive shaft bellows to the bell housing first, then attach the other end to the transom.

If I remember right, you do the shift cable and boot before anything else though, and do the exhaust bellows last.

So, shift boot, then drive shaft bellows, then exhaust bellows.

But re-read the manual, it's all in there.

Erik

 

[rad1026]

Re: Mercruiser bellows question

The FACTORY service manual is very clear, step by step. If you don't have it get one instead of an aftermarket manual. Its a knucklebuster for sure, but take your time. You may want to replace the lower shift cable where you are in there and have everything apart. I think the tool that helped me the most was a long flexible shaft driver that you can put a 5/16" socket on in order to get up there and tighten the clamps.

 

[freak007]

Re: Mercruiser bellows question

What worked well for me...

water hose onto transom
U-joint bellows onto bellhousing
exhaust TUBE onto transom (might be different with exhaust bellows)
Shift cable into bellhousing
Shift boot onto cable
Shift cable into transom
U-joint bellows onto transom
Slide shift boot into place
Put water tube onto bellhousing
Install pivot pins

Make sure your clamps are facing the way the OEM manual illustrates or you will not be able to tighten them... the correct size socket with ample extensions and a universal joint helps ease the pain...

 

[Cruiserman]

Re: Mercruiser bellows question

I cant help you too much, but my mechanic (I call him a genius) replaced the whole kit and stayed with me at the marina until 10pm on a Saturday night to finish. I watched and participated under his direction. Someone called this a knucklbuster.. they aren't kidding. Whoever thunk up this device was a glutton for punishment. However, there is a procedure and you need to do it exactly so you have access to the clamps (in the right order). Little things like removing the trim limit and indicator switches and tying them up and out of your way. And properly (i mean properly) applying the adhesive. Someone sugested a swivel socket attachment. It is a must. And dont forget the little o-ring (its part of the kit) for the raw water inlet. And make sure (take your time) all if the debris is removed from all the fittings.. Also remove any and ALL old adhesive from anything... Use starting fluid or find a printer in your area that will sell or give you a small amount of "Blanket Wash". It will desolve the adhesive... I hope you have patience... If you can find a mechanic (that knows his stuff) to teach you, you may want to pay him to participate.... Good luck

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Mercruiser bellows question

I'll second Freak007's list.

 

[hard-3]

Re: Mercruiser bellows question

find a snap-on guy and get a 1/4 in drive 5/15 in swivel socket you will see it pay for it self in minutes

 

[hard-3]

Re: Mercruiser bellows question

I mean 5/16 socket

 

[gwa584]

Re: Mercruiser bellows question

I just did all of this last month, and was a newbie (still am) and boat is running fine so you should be able to handle it too...just take your time and pre-read the directions.

As far as tools...thin-walled shift cable socket is a must as mentioned.

Also, since you're removing outdrive and you're replacing the gimbal bearing, you'll want to find/borrow/rent/buy:
- Engine Alignment Tool (often available on eBay)
- Tool to pull old grease seal (sits in front of bearing between it and the engine) and gimbal bearing/carrier assembly
-5 lb slide-hammer (plus go buy a nut and big enough washer) usually works (you can borrow slide-hammer for free with a returnable deposit from most AutoZone stores)
- Tool to drive in new grease seal
- Tool to drive in new gimbal bearing/carrier assembly (don't try and just replace the inner bearing itself...they are a matched set)

For these latter two...you can spend a lot on the official tool...or do what I did an make some from pipe and similar fittings at your local home improvement store. Saved about $150 in tools and they worked just as well. The important thing is to make sure you're driving both in perfectly STRAIGHT.

Then use engine alignment tool to align the new gimbal bearing (with some hard side-to-side shoves with the tool only into the bearing, not the engine, if needed) to engine coupler hole. If the lower unit came off easily, then you probably won't need much engine mount alignment, but there are procedures on this board and elsewhere for that adjustment...or feel free to message me privately and I can try to help as I went though some woes in that regard.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Mercruiser bellows question

Thank you everyone. I did the entire job over the weekend..

Not a fun job! Would've been much easier had my hinge pin come out easier and had my gimbal bearing come out easier... that took me a lot of extra time.