u-joint bellow spring /wire

[FW0804]

I removed the u-joint bellow to find that there were no cracks and it was in good condition so I am reinstalling. I removed the wire that lined the inside of the bellow.

1. Do I need it?
2. If so, any tips on reinstalling it?

 

[Don S]

Re: u-joint bellow spring /wire

Yes, you need it. Without it, it will hit the ujoints and wear a hole in it.
What are you working on.

Quite honestly, if the bellows has 3 or 4 years on it, replace it while you have it off or you will be doing all that work again.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: u-joint bellow spring /wire

It is probably best to get a new bellows, rather than reinstalling the old one.

 

[FW0804]

Re: u-joint bellow spring /wire

I bought this boat last year (87 four winns, merc - alpha one) and I think the guy who I bought it from replaced it within the last 1-2 years. I took it completely off to clean it out and it seemed to be in great shape.

Anyways for anyone who is interested, I did get the wire back in. I used some gear lube to coat the wire and put just a little on the inside of the bellow and just started feeding it through. Since the inside of it is a spiral it eventually made it's way all the way to the back. It took a little while but it's done.