Shift cable bellows-Alpha 1 Gen 2

[kcjefff]

Can anyone give a step-by-step to the quickest and easiest way to swap these out? The manual really sucks on this topic.

 

[tommays]

Re: Shift cable bellows-Alpha 1 Gen 2

What manual ? the merc one is very good

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14a4.pdf


Tommays

 

[kcjefff]

Re: Shift cable bellows-Alpha 1 Gen 2

I have the SELOC. Not nearly as helpful as that. Thank you.

 

[kcjefff]

Re: Shift cable bellows-Alpha 1 Gen 2

btw, is there a tool that can be used instead of the removal tool to get the cable out?

 

[Don S]

Re: Shift cable bellows-Alpha 1 Gen 2

No, that is the process.
Nobody ever said boat repair was easy.

 

[kcjefff]

Re: Shift cable bellows-Alpha 1 Gen 2

Holy Cow! I have to go through all of that just to replace a little rotted piece of rubber?! I would think you should be able to just pull the damn cable out as an assembly and not have to readjust every damn thing. Could I just remove the slide end somehow?

 

[kcjefff]

Re: Shift cable bellows-Alpha 1 Gen 2

I could though, just remove the inner core and slide end, then replace the bellows and put the inner core and slide back in, right? There is nothing wrong with the cable, it is only 2 years old. The dealer just failed to replace the bellows when I bought it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Shift cable bellows-Alpha 1 Gen 2

just remove the inner core and slide end, then replace the bellows and put the inner core and slide back in, right?

The bellows is on the outer core, how do you expect to remove only the inner core and slide? The outer would still be in place.
You have to remove the inner core so you can get the outer core out of the boat to install the new bellows. No ifs ands or buts about it.

 

[kcjefff]

Re: Shift cable bellows-Alpha 1 Gen 2

I was thinking of pulling the inner core and then pull the outer off of the front of the bell housing. I would have to pull the bellows off from the front of the bellhousing, then put it back in from the front of the bellhousing and then push the outer back into the bellhousing. So basically, just avoid pulling the outer through the transom.

 

[tommays]

Re: Shift cable bellows-Alpha 1 Gen 2

The outer cable is permanently crimped to the brass IT has to be removed to change the bellows

If there was and easy way it would have been found out buy now



Tommays

 

[kcjefff]

Re: Shift cable bellows-Alpha 1 Gen 2

I know, I am grasping at straws. Thanks anyway. I may just have to patch it and let the bilge handle the leak for the weekend.

 

[b00tstrap]

Re: Shift cable bellows-Alpha 1 Gen 2

I just went through this on my gen1 alpha (similar). It took 3 after work sessions to do the whole job.

I found this site useful

http://www.outdriveshop.com/mercruiserhelp.html

The 9/16 deep socket (thin wall) is a must. I took my 9/16 and jammed a 17mm onto the back of it. Sounds funny, but cheaper than the pruchased one and it worked great.

Also, getting at the worm clamps that hold on the shift bellow can be a real pain, I used my right angle driver with a socket head (i forget what size) to access the clamps. I know skewdriver is one brand it looks like this..

 

[Don S]

Re: Shift cable bellows-Alpha 1 Gen 2

Before you go spending a lot of money on special sockets, try this.
With some type of pliars that you already own, gently squeeze the end of the white nylon cable end with your pliars enough to unscrew it from the cable. Now, install the cable with a regular socket. Then....... gently put the white nylon piece back it snugly. Then if it looks a little flat on one side equal it out with the pliars and move on to the next step of the cable installation. It's just a guide to keep the cable from buckeling when pushing the cable.

 

[b00tstrap]

Re: Shift cable bellows-Alpha 1 Gen 2

In my case, I already owned everything I used to make a deep 9/16", and the skewdriver was from my mobile audio days..
d

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Shift cable bellows-Alpha 1 Gen 2

Can anyone give a step-by-step to the quickest and easiest way to swap these out? The manual really sucks on this topic.

Option 1:

Step one: Locate a citified Mercruser tech.

Step 2: Make an appointment to have the lower shift cable and bellows R&R'd

Step 3: Pick up repaired boat (w/warranty) and head to the lake.

Option 2:

Spend the time it takes to DIY, (I just did) should be no more than a few hours................and a few choice words. Enjoy the rest of your problem free boating season.

*If you pick option 2 I'v got some tips to cut the time and frustration required to complete the task.