Questions About Replacing Bellows

[twoelvis]

I am doing bellows for the first time, and I have an extra O-ring that I can not figure out where it came from. For size comparison, the one on the left if for the water inlet. The one on the right is the one that is concerning me. The U-joint shaft is not missing any of its 3 O-rings.

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[twoelvis]

Also, where does this ring go, and how is it positioned? I took one off when removing the U-joint bellow, and my new kit came with one. But, from the installation videos I've seen, nobody has demonstrated where to install it.

 

[sockpatty]

The last post,that ring you just push in with your fingers at the bell housing. When you put the stern back in,it will push into it.

 

[twoelvis]

Thanks. What purpose does this ring serve?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Incorrect, that thick ring must be glued in place . it`s what seals the U joint area. If dislodged water enters the bellow

 

[twoelvis]

My OEM manual says nothing about this ring. So, after I drive the metal ring in, I push the rubber ring in and glue it in place?

 

[Rick Stephens]

My OEM manual says nothing about this ring. So, after I drive the metal ring in, I push the rubber ring in and glue it in place?

Basically correct. After the metal ring is in - do that by hand use some carb cleaner for a lube after getting the bellows sitting in the groove correctly - then put bellows cement in at the ledge and insert that big ring in against the ledge with the cement to hold it firmly in place.

 

[twoelvis]

Thanks. That makes sense. Back to my original question. In the first photo, there is an O-ring, which I have no idea where it goes. I can not see anywhere in the bell housing that it would go. It is not the O-ring for the water inlet. Is there any other O-rings in the bell housing other than for the water inlet? I have also removed the lower unit. Could it have fell out of the lower unit?

 

[cchamp]

Thanks. That makes sense. Back to my original question. In the first photo, there is an O-ring, which I have no idea where it goes. I can not see anywhere in the bell housing that it would go. It is not the O-ring for the water inlet. Is there any other O-rings in the bell housing other than for the water inlet? I have also removed the lower unit. Could it have fell out of the lower unit?

Picture is not showing up for me. I just did this repair today. You've only got 5 seals with the kit (and the metal ring). The large black one that goes in the bellows, the water inlet ring, and the 3 that go on the shaft.

In your lower unit you'll have the little oil seal that is tiny and the seal that goes over the impeller housing. Can't thing of anything else that would fall off, but that tiny oil ring will fall off easily.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Those kits include o-rings for obsolete drives that no longer have as many o-rings on the input shaft.

 

[twoelvis]

The O-ring that I was asking about was in the bin of parts that I removed, not the box of new parts. I made the mistake of taking it apart weeks ago, and not putting it back together until this week. I don't remember much about where things go. I did take a lot of photos as I removed parts. But, this O-ring is not anywhere in the photos. I suppose the O-ring could have fell in to the box, from another project. But, I'd hate to think of the damage that could be done if it is actually supposed to be installed somewhere on the outdrive, and I don't install it.

 

[achris]

What size is this 'extra' o ring? (ID and thickness)

 

[cchamp]

The O-ring that I was asking about was in the bin of parts that I removed, not the box of new parts. I made the mistake of taking it apart weeks ago, and not putting it back together until this week. I don't remember much about where things go. I did take a lot of photos as I removed parts. But, this O-ring is not anywhere in the photos. I suppose the O-ring could have fell in to the box, from another project. But, I'd hate to think of the damage that could be done if it is actually supposed to be installed somewhere on the outdrive, and I don't install it.

Can you repost the pictures? Your pic in post 2 is coming through for me but not in your first post.

 

[twoelvis]

For size comparison, on the left is the water inlet O-ring, on the right is the mystery O-ring. I can get dimensions tomorrow.

 

[cchamp]

Looks like a shaft ring to me. If its pliable then that is probably what it is.

 

[twoelvis]

All 3 shaft rings are still on the shaft. I will double check that tomorrow to be sure.

 

[achris]

.... I can get dimensions tomorrow.

Not needed. I can work it out from the size of the water inlet O ring.

It's the right size for the yoke O rings. What drive are you working on? (Alpha One or Alpha One Gen II?)
If it's an Alpha One, it's possible that 'extra' O ring is an old drive shift top O ring that got missed the last time is was disassembled.

BTW, if it is an Alpha One, then don't put an O ring on the top of the drive shaft (even if there is a groove)...

Chris....

 

[harringtondav]

Most gimbal seal kits come with three O rings for the shaft. Two are the same diameter and thickness. These two go on the forward end of the coupler yoke shaft. The thinner one goes in the groove close to the yoke.

A larger O ring seals the raw water port in the bell housing. Like that very large, square cross section ring that goes into the bell housing, the water port O ring should be tacked into place with bellows adhesive or contact cement.

 

[twoelvis]

This is an Alpha one Gen 2. There are 3 black O-rings still on the shaft. I know which O-ring is for the water inlet. The OEM kit I purchased include 3 red O-rings to replace them. shown here: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001HBSY36/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 This mystery O-ring is similar in size to the new red O-rings. But, is not quite the same as them. Is it possible that this O-ring fell out of the lower drive? I have removed the lower drive.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Sounds unlikely. I can't think of anywhere an o-ring can fall out of.