Replacing Bellows on 87 Alpha One... how do I get bellows back on???

[Lubeboy]

So set out for simple job of replacing bellows, as the cable bellows was torn... wow, what a job...

Almost done now, but I need to connect the ujoint and exhaust bellows to bell housing...

How the heck do you get the bellows to the bell housing?

thanks.

 

[jtybt]

Re: Replacing Bellows on 87 Alpha One... how do I get bellows back on???

did you use bellows adhesive yet?.

If not, put a liberal amount and it will act as a lubricant before it dries
(gotta be quick)...but you also have to wait a while lounger to make sure it cures....and you need strong fingers.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Replacing Bellows on 87 Alpha One... how do I get bellows back on???

If you adhesive both the bellows and the flange and let it dry, you can use some windex or spit on the glued surfaces to help it slide on.

Sometimes I use a dull rounded screwdriver or slightly bent prybar on the inside to help get it on the flange.

BE CAREFUL with this so you don't poke a hole in the new bellows.

For the drive bellows connect it to the bell first then you can use your fingers in side of it to help get it on.

 

[Apollo75]

Re: Replacing Bellows on 87 Alpha One... how do I get bellows back on???

Hey JT

I think he is having problems getting the bellows close enough to the bell housing to use the adhesive.


OFM

 

[Lubeboy]

Re: Replacing Bellows on 87 Alpha One... how do I get bellows back on???

Yes, my problem is that I have bellows attached to transome side.. now I just have to get bellows to bell housing, then tighten hose clamps...

how do you get bellows to stretch to bell housing, then be able to tighten hose clamps, must be some trick?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Replacing Bellows on 87 Alpha One... how do I get bellows back on???

It certainly is tougher than it looks at first.

Are you having trouble with the drive bellows or the exhaust bellows? You mention both.

The exhaust bellows, if it is new, is nearly impossible to put on without the helper tool - I don't know if they make one for the drive bellows or not - I haven't had as much trouble with that one.

 

[jtybt]

Re: Replacing Bellows on 87 Alpha One... how do I get bellows back on???

You may have to remove the hinge pins.

They are lock-tite on at the factory so may be hard to remove. I've had to drill them out before.

 

[arrkerr]

Re: Replacing Bellows on 87 Alpha One... how do I get bellows back on???

I found the manual to be confusing, as they actually cover it in a couple of different places and some have more detail than others.

For the drive/ujoint bellows, put them on the gimbal side FIRST before re-attaching it. If you do the boat side first you'll never get a screwdriver up in there. There is a special hole in the side of the transom assembly to let you stick a screwdriver up in there. Still a PITA, but doable.

For the exhaust bellows put the on the boat side, then attach the gimbal assembly and tilt/shove it down so it gets on as good as you can. Then you either have to use the tool, which shoves up the exhaust port and pushes the bellows out and lets you pull them on. I actually just did this using a pair of 90-degree hooked-nose pliars. I hooked it in the grooves inside and was able to slide it on, working a bit on each side at a time. I also pushed a bit once I got it on using a screwdriver from underneath, also pushing in the grooves.

Hope that helps. My first try was with the ujoint bellows attached to the boat side first, and I spent a whole day trying to figure out how to get to those screws before reading a different section of the book over and over until the light dawned and I realized it had to go on the gimbal side first.

Whole thing sure is a pain. Wish I'd known to get the exhaust TUBE instead of the bellows. They're a bit more expensive, but you save having to buy the tools. Fortunately my pliars did the trick.

Good luck.