Shift Cable Bellows

[gamarines2]

I have an 89 Merc 350Mag with Alpha 1. Bellows is ripped in two and water is leaking into boat. Can this bellows be replaced without replacing cable by simply removing the outdrive and bellows? Also, do I have to remove the bell housing to get to the cable or will it rotate enough up to push the cable through?

Jake

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

The shift cable boot can be replaced without removing the drive. Disconnect it from the linkage assembly, remove the end , and with the drive tilted up pull the cable and boot out of the transom assembly. Be sure to check cable adjustment once it's reinstalled.

 

[gamarines2]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

I am sorry, sir, but that just doesn't make any sense to me. Without removing the drive, how would I get the shift slide off? If there is a technique for doing this, I can get back in the water quickly.....

Jake

 

[tommays]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

Real is telling you to disconnect it from the motor and remove the binder bolts leaving just the cable and jacket

With the drive tilted up then carefully and without bending the cable slide it out of the transom and replace the bellows


I have never done it this way i just understand what he is saying

Tommays

 

[gamarines2]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

I'll try it......but removing the drive isn't all that big of a deal. I just don't want to have to remove the Bell housing (I don't have the special tool).

Jake

 

[Don S]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

If you don't pull the bellhousing, you are going to put a very sharp bend in the cable to get it out, and back in.
Personally, I wouldn't even consider trying it with the drive on.

This should explain EXACTLY how it should be done.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6A4R3.PDF

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Shift Cable Bellows

You don't need the special tool to remove the bell housing - a big allen wrench will do. Half inch I think? I know that many of the Merc techs do not use the tool, they use the allen wrench instead. I seem to remember reading that a cold chisel is even typically the right size. (The "handle" part of the chisel - not the sharp end! )