OMC Cobra U-Joint bellows

[kazanka]

Just before I was gonna hook the trailer with the boat to a truck to back it up into the water, noticed a slit in the U-joint bellows. Thanks god it happened before my boat saw the water. No water in the bellows (checked when took the drive off last fall), but obviously have to change the bellows. The question is -

1. is there a chance of doing that without removing the pivot housing?
2. Or if not, can I just disconnect a water hose, remove the hinge pins and sort of "hang" it on the shift cable?

Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC Cobra U-Joint bellows

I've never done it on an OMC, but on the SX drives (Virtually the same) I have removed the exhaust bellows, and the water hose and pulled the bellows out the bottom.

 

[marunr]

Re: OMC Cobra U-Joint bellows

Are you sure it isn't the exhaust bellows? There is a slit on the bottom. I'm not nearly as good at this as Don, but I would hate to try it without removing the pivot housing. Also, it's really difficult, if not impossible, to remove the water inlet hose with the pivot housing on. If the hose clamp isn't turned just right you'll never get a socket or screwdriver on it.

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC Cobra U-Joint bellows

Also, it's really difficult, if not impossible, to remove the water inlet hose with the pivot housing on. If the hose clamp isn't turned just right you'll never get a socket or screwdriver on it.

Just remove the big plastic nut and pull the assembly out. Real easy, real fast.

 

[marunr]

Re: OMC Cobra U-Joint bellows

Just remove the big plastic nut and pull the assembly out. Real easy, real fast.

Geez...now I really feel stupid!

 

[kazanka]

Re: OMC Cobra U-Joint bellows

I am sure it's the u-joint bellows that's ripped.

Thanks for the info, Don.

 

[Coors]

Re: OMC Cobra U-Joint bellows

what bellows is it? the exhaust has slits.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC Cobra U-Joint bellows

1. is there a chance of doing that without removing the pivot housing?
2. Or if not, can I just disconnect a water hose, remove the hinge pins and sort of "hang" it on the shift cable?

Been awhile since I did a Cobra but I recall removing the pivot joints and removing the shift cable. See if you can do it without removing the cable first.

 

[steve31]

Re: OMC Cobra U-Joint bellows

Yes you can lay the pivot housing to the side with the shift cable still attached. Just be careful not to kink it. I just did this on mine a few weeks ago. Make sure your hose clamps on the u-joint and exhaust bellows are in the right position, or your gimbal ring will hit them and not turn fully.

 

[kazanka]

Re: OMC Cobra U-Joint bellows

Thanks a lot guys.

I am really ashamed now.

Guess what, went on Monday to do the fix. I was pretty sure it was the u-joint bellows. Looked again, turns out, the u-joint bellow is fine, it's the exaust one that's ripped.

Like my father says, life's hard when you're stupid.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: OMC Cobra U-Joint bellows

The Newer Cobra bellows have slits on the bottom to relieve exhaust pressure. Should be fine. Saved you some work anyway..