what is the secret to getting the bellows on?

[glennj3]

I have spent 2 hours in the hot sun today, just can't seem to get the gimbal bellows onto the gimbal housing mount. I can only get it on half way, with or without adhesive. I don't understand why adhesive is used in the first place?
I have a tool for the exhaust bellows, is there one for the gimbal?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Try loosening the clamp some more

 

[achris]

Are you using genuine Merc/Quicksilver bellows or aftermarket? No tool required for uni joint bellows. Adhesive is 'second line of defense' against water ingress and ensures they stay in the right place as the clamp is tightened..

 

[fieromx3]

Are you using genuine Merc/Quicksilver bellows or aftermarket? No tool required for uni joint bellows. Adhesive is 'second line of defense' against water ingress and ensures they stay in the right place as the clamp is tightened..

i too am wondering, i have heard the OEM bellows go on smoothly. i installed a set of SEI bellows this past spring and even without the clamp being on were an absolute bear to get on, i had to use my legs to push the bellows on they were such a tight fit. the ridge on the inside of the bellow made a loud snap noise when it clicked into the groove on the gimbal...... at least it was a nice tight fit..... lol i am definitely going to go OEM next time..

 

[achris]

I used aftermarket once. NEVER AGAIN!!!!

 

[glennj3]

I will look for the name of them, I bought them from my dealer, so what every he uses. I am so sore from sitting, pushing, flipping under the housing while pushing, sun shining on me, we with sweat, just awful !
Also there are conflicting techniques for using the adhesive, one is to let it dry for 10 minutes (per the tube's instructions) the other I hear is to put them on before it dries?
I'm going out this morning to attempt again, this time I plan to use a couple of butter knives to assist the lip to slide on. If this does not work, I'm hauling the boat to the mechanic and allow his services to take over !!

 

[harleyman1975]

Two hundred dollar bills work best for me! LOL!

 

[glennj3]

I have a niece who is sweet as anyone you will every know named Mallary, but my billows is not sweet, made by Mallary !
I got it on! Used butter knives, a nail puller (like a small crowbar) worked and worked.
I checked the clamp, I noticed it you push on side of it on, the other side will slip away so I pushed it many times from one side then the other to assure all of the clamp was over the gimbal /bellows housing lip.
I guess it is on tight, I the outdrive from one side to the other and nothing slipped.
Wondering if I should try to pull it off?? Naw, probably not!
Now to tackle the exhaust bellows to the bell. This one looks tough too!

 

[NHGuy]

The exhaust bellows is hard to pull onto the drive, requires a tool. Check the stickies for instructions on how to make one.

 

[glennj3]

Success! Broke this up into two jobs, one this morning the other in the afternoon. Suddenly got the gimbal bellows on using butter knives and my nail puller crow bar device. I think the clamp is difficult to get on all around the housing at the same time, I noticed if I pushed it on one side, the other side would slide off of the lip. When I got entire clamp around correctly it did not slip off while tightening it.
The exhaust was not fun either due to the clamp slipped off. Removed the pins so I could manipulate the gimbal housing more. Finally got it on and tightened up nicely. Torqued the pins to 85 ft lbs. (I have seen several different torque values for them) 85 should do fine, added the red lock tight.
now I can get back to the outdrive tomorrow and hopefully get this thing done in time to test drive her this summer in SC !!
Also have to connect the shift shaft cable and at the engine end.

 

[achris]

[h=1]what is the secret to getting the bellows on?

[/h]
Use OEM.

 

[glennj3]

Too late Chris, I paid for them. Next time I do them, OEM !
Got to tackle the shift shaft and connect the new controls at the engine tomorrow !