When to change bellows

[B.matt]

How do you know if you need to change the bellows on a alpha 1 gen 1, I dont want to wait untill it starts leaking.

Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: When to change bellows

How do you know if you need to change the bellows on a alpha 1 gen 1, I dont want to wait untill it starts leaking.

Thanks

Ayuh,.... When ya have the drive off, for it's Annual service,...
Run yer fingers all over 'em, 'n check for cracks in the creases....
Ditto the shift cable bellows...

Figure 5 to 8 years of life, dependin' on conditions encountered...

 

[Don S]

Re: When to change bellows

With the cost of replacement ujoints, gimbal bearings, seals for the drive upper, yokes to replace old rusty ones, every 5 years would be a good idea. It's a lot cheaper than the repairs.

 

[ericp501]

Re: When to change bellows

A friend of my dad will actually load the bellows up with silicon if he finds a rip lol! Don't do that.. I found a rip in the shift cable bellow u could fit a dime through, so new bellows are going on.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: When to change bellows

I replace mine when I run out of duct tape !!!

Inspect every year . . . replace when you start seeing surface cracking.

 

[B.matt]

Re: When to change bellows

Duct tape what a great idea. I started changing them and I'm glad I did because one of the clamps was loose.
Thanks for the replies.

 

[Dave88LX]

Re: When to change bellows

For a mechanically inclined person, how difficult of a job is this really to do? I've watched the YouTube videos, seems straight forward, but, you never know...