U joint bellows question. alpha one gen II

[rinkerdinker]

Ok, let me start off by saying I spent the last hour searching.... Maybe I haven't used the correct terminology.
This is my first Merc. bellows replacement. I am a little confused about the bellows sleeve and the gasket that goes with it. Does the gasket go in first or second. The manual either doesn't say or I can't find it. When I removed the sleeve on my recently purchased boat the gasket was around the sleeve. Is this correct?

P.S. no flaming from the vets.

 

[StevNimrod]

Re: U joint bellows question. alpha one gen II



Welcome to iBoats!

On the bellhousing side, the u-joint bellows (13) is retained by the sleeve (16). Then you slide the gasket (7) in until it touches the sleeve. If memory serves, the gasket gets glued in.

A tip I got from another iBoats member (DonS): get a can of Quicksilver Power Tune (part 858080Q01) and use it to aid in installation of the sleeve. I've always been able to spray the sleeve, install it with my bare hands, and just hold it in place for a little bit while the Power Tune evaporates. Really makes installation of the sleeve painless.

There are some other things it makes sense to look at while you're in that deep. If you're interested I'll post my "list".

 

[rinkerdinker]

Re: U joint bellows question. alpha one gen II

Interesting that the one I removed was not in correctly. I believe it was the original although it is difficult to tell. The gimbal was probably the original because it was in backward. The Previous owner was not the DIY type and he stated that all work was done at the marina.

P.S. I have already replaced the Gimbal (was just starting to get a little rough) and unwillingly both sides of the through-the-hull oil monitor fitting (man that thing is fragile).

 

[Don S]

Re: U joint bellows question. alpha one gen II

P.S. I have already replaced the Gimbal

Just an FYI, there is no such thing as a Gimbal there is a gimbal ring, a gimbal housing, and a gimbal bearing. I have to assume you were referring to a gimbal bearing as it's the only item that will get rough.

Those plastic oil monitor fittings almost always break, and can be almost impossible to replace depending on access room inside boat to get to the snap ring and quick disconnect fitting. When you order a new fitting, order a couple extra C clips to hold it in. That way when you drop one (and you will) you don't loose the whole day searching for it.

In case you don't have the OEM manual for your drive, here is a link to the free download.
http://www.4shared.com/document/dPQUcyn_/Service_Manual_14.html

 

[rinkerdinker]

Re: U joint bellows question. alpha one gen II

Yes, sorry, the Gimbal bearing.
I found that the clip for the lube monitor fitting was not that hard. I used a pair of needle nosed vise-grips to get the clip started, then just pushed it on with a long screwdriver. It helped to remove the power steering linkage just 1 cotter pin and pull the pin.