Omc bellows issue... whats this wire/spring?

[BLinindoll]

Just pulled the outdrive to check the bearing carrier seal. About a quart of oil gushed out of the u-joint bellows. I looked inside the bellows and saw a bunch of metal wires. Pulled them out and it looks like some kind of metal spring, which has been broken in about 3 pieces. I also found fragments of a seal spring (I assume its the spring from the bearing carrier seal.) I noticed the seal looked pretty chewed up on the outside, so i would say it's bad. The question is, what's the deal with that long springy wire? Is it needed? Can i just get the spring or do i need to get the whole bellow?

 

[Don S]

Re: Omc bellows issue... whats this wire/spring?

Get a new bellows, and replace the input shaft seal and possibly the yoke.
The wire keeps the bellows in shape. Either the wire rusted in two, from water in the bellows, or starting the engine in the FULL up position nd the wire contacted the ujoints.