Need advice on exhaust boot hose clamp

[harringtondav]

Need some tips from you salty gray beards. I've replaced at least six Alpha exhaust boots on my and friends boat's in 22 yrs. Getting that hose clamp correctly placed around the gimbal plate hub has always vexed me. Keeping it positioned between the drive shaft bellows, and keeping the screw slot aligned while I chase it away through that miserable access hole while I tighten it.

Any secret tips?

 

[Bt Doctur]

1/4 inch universal joint

 

[harringtondav]

Thks. Bt Doctur . This, w/a 5/16" socket has worked well for the shift cable and rear/ bell hsg exhaust bellows clamps, but I don't how to get any tool except a long skinny screw driver through that small port side access hole in the gimbal plate. I keep the hose clamp loose enough that it doesn't cause a fight getting the bellows over the gimbal hub, but then it scrolls it's way away from the screw driver before it's tight enough.

I think I've tried the socket/swivel from the bottom - up, but I'll try again. Maybe also try to pre-position the clamp with a little bellows adhesive.

 

[harringtondav]

....ps: I'm running low on Merc bellows adhesive, but have plenty of DAP/Weldwood contact cement, which seems to be the same stuff. Any thoughts on using the contact cement?

 

[Bondo]

but I don't how to get any tool except a long skinny screw driver through that small port side access hole in the gimbal plate.

Ayuh,..... A long skinny 1/4" drive extension,.....

I've got 1/4" drive extensions in 1", 2", 3", 6", 9", 'n 12",......probably use most of 'em doin' a bellows job,.....
Where I can, I drive 'em with my Makita 18v impact tool,....

 

[harringtondav]

thx Bondo . Do you tighten the forward exhaust boot clamp from the bottom? If not, how do you fit a 1/4 extension into that access hole on port side of the gimbal plate?