shift cable bellows

[gostephen]

how hard is it to replace the shift cable bellows on a 1989 mercruiser alpha 1?

thanks
stephen

 

[bigbrownbuku]

Re: shift cable bellows

if you can remove/replace the drive have a reasonable set of tools not difficult. when the drive is off disconnect both ends of the shift cable completely and pull it back, not out completely, just enough to re/re the bellows. you may need to fashion yourself a deep 9/16th socket for cable removal. i just bought 2 cheap sockets and welded them together.

 

[gostephen]

Re: shift cable bellows

Is there any to replace it without removing the drive?

 

[StevNimrod]

Re: shift cable bellows

Is there any to replace it without removing the drive?

I don't think so. Someone else may chime in if they know a trick.

That aside, removing a drive isn't too bad (at least for me, in fresh water). It's six nuts and half a beer. It's also a good thing to learn how to do for a variety of other reasons.

Stick around and you'll be in good shape. Based on my experience.

 

[chuck in WA]

Re: shift cable bellows

It's easy enough that you can DIY (I did it the day after I bought my boat), but hard enough that you'll want to replace ALL of the bellows while you're at it (i.e. if one is in poor condition, the others probably aren't far behind). It took me the better part of a day, but I had never owned or worked on a stern drive boat before so there was some head scratching time involved. Download the service manual from this site and have a read. The folks here are very helpful and knowlegeable and can help you through the process. Good luck.

 

[gostephen]

Re: shift cable bellows

i was hoping to avoid removing the out drive but i guess i have to

what else should i replace while ive got it off the exhaust bellows was replaced last season and the u-joint was in great condition.

 

[cr2k]

Re: shift cable bellows

If you have the new style cable it's a lot easier than the old style.

The drive does need to come off.

The new style screws in form the drive side of the bell.

Take the slide off the cable inside the boat (2 little nuts on the sides) and pull the slide guide (take the nut loose and unscrew) when you go back it bottoms out then tighten the nut. Then unbolt the cable (new style) and pull out far enough to replace the bellows. Re routing it back in the boat can be a bugger if it is tight behind the engine.

If old style (bolts in from the boat side of bell housing, you will need to pull the bell housing too. Good time to just cut the cable and replace with new style, but you will need to tap out the drive side first.

Not a difficult job, but it is time consuming. But you still should be able to do it in a day. If old style cable you will need a trunnion tool to pull them out to remove the bell housing and some locktite to re-install.

While it's off check;

Drive bellows
grease u-joints
gimbal for smoothness
visualize the splines in the coupler
check gimbal alignment
short shift cable for ease of slide

OR

Just wrap it up with duct tape....NOT!!!

 

[gostephen]

Re: shift cable bellows

If old style cable you will need a trunnion tool to pull them out to remove the bell housing and some locktite to re-install.

What is this tool? can i make something insted of buying this tool?
how do i know if i have the old style or the new style cable? as far as i know the cable hasn't been replaced

What would happen if i left with a rip in it? till the end of the season

 

[snoski]

Re: shift cable bellows

If you ignore it until end of season, then make sure you have a well working bilge pump and fresh battery/batteries....