bellows replacement 4.3 merc

kulle

Petty Officer 1st Class
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May 23, 2018
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294
Just a dumb question.... first off, removal of my outdrive was a piece of cake...thanks to all for your help. so i am going to be replacing the main and maybe all bellows, do i need take off the bell housing? or can i do it simply with outdrive off?
 

Walt T

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Mar 16, 2002
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You'll have to reset the trim indicator and limiter also and you need a special tool to get the trim pins off. You'll need a good powerful impact or a long breaker bar to get those pins off. Check the gimbal bearing and U joints if you find water in there. If there is no water, grease the gimbal and u joints and leave the bellows alone. I suggest you have a pro do the bellows you can sink the boat if done improperly.
 

alldodge

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Mar 8, 2009
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Been a whole lot of non-pro's (first timers) here on iboats have replaced the bellows and not had issues, and the few that did have an issue were able to fix it, and did not here of any sunk boats.
 

Walt T

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Oh I know, I'm just feeling kinda dramatic today sitting here in my underwear watching Nascar. OMG I just realized... I'm a redneck
 

kulle

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May 23, 2018
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ha - i'm pretty mechanically inclined, have service manuals and all you fine resources :joyous:. I didnt notice any moisture on the u-joint when i pulled the drive off. Everything looks good actually, except the tear in the drive bellow. Thinking to just purchase an OEM bellow/gasket kit and do it all, but then i dont want to mess with anything that isnt broke and possibly introduce more issues.
 

Walt T

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If the U joints have grease fittings, grease them. If water comes out replace them. Reach inside and rotate the gimbal bearing, it should be perfectly smooth. Grease it via the fitting right side of transom. If water comes out replace gimbal bearing. Always a good idea to check alignment but you need a tool for that. You can buy all the special tools you need right here in iboats I believe.
 

kulle

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May 23, 2018
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Reading through the removal steps... if i am not replacing the shift cable, do i need the special socket to remove it, or should there be enough play to keep it in tact while fit on the bellows. also see varying threads about using or not using the sleeve install tool. also the manual noted to glue back in the rubber ring gasket between drive and bell housing. when i removed drive, it was loose and def not glued.
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
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May 19, 2004
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27,468
For the shift bellows, don't remove the cable from the bell housing, but you will need to remove it from the shift plate. Attach a piece of cord to the end before you pull it out, so you can pull it back in...

Even if the previous service tech didn't glue the ring in, you must... A 'professional' doing the wrong thing doesn't make it right...

The sleeve installation tool is only for Gen II drives... You haven't mentioned a year or serial number so we have no idea what you're working on....
 

kulle

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May 23, 2018
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294
For the shift bellows, don't remove the cable from the bell housing, but you will need to remove it from the shift plate. Attach a piece of cord to the end before you pull it out, so you can pull it back in...

Even if the previous service tech didn't glue the ring in, you must... A 'professional' doing the wrong thing doesn't make it right...

The sleeve installation tool is only for Gen II drives... You haven't mentioned a year or serial number so we have no idea what you're working on....

pretty certain its a gen2 Alpha drive serial:0M406343
 

kulle

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May 23, 2018
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so you mention remove cable from shift plate? thats the plate in the engine area right?
can i simply use the bellows adhesive for the rubber ring/gasket?
does the metal ring for the ujoint bellow get glued to?
is there a how to video that shows the whole process on the merc drive? appreciate the help and info...just trying to arm myself with as much info as possible.

be cool if i could find a new or used bearing sleeve install tool...like $40 bucks !
 

Ed Harris

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Jan 7, 2016
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217
Take your time and watch some you tube videos. Then watch them again and again. You should do fine if you have some mechanical ability. I have found that you really need to let the glue set up when you install the exhaust bellows. I finally let mine setup for 2 days before it held good but it is really humid here in South Alabama
 

dlogvine

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May 4, 2015
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so you mention remove cable from shift plate? thats the plate in the engine area right?
can i simply use the bellows adhesive for the rubber ring/gasket?
does the metal ring for the ujoint bellow get glued to?
is there a how to video that shows the whole process on the merc drive? appreciate the help and info...just trying to arm myself with as much info as possible.

be cool if i could find a new or used bearing sleeve install tool...like $40 bucks !

Metal ring just gets press fitted, no need to glue it. If you replacing U-joint bellows, and taking off the bell housing, I would replace remaining bellows as well. The shifter cable bellows replacement is a little bit more tricky since you have to pull the line through the transom plate and then fish it back. If it looks intact, no holes or significant wear, I'd leave it on. Also when I replaced the exhaust bellows, my mechanic advised me (again for Alpha One Gen II outdrive) to replace two fixed sided bellows with a sleeve type on the outdrive side. It made the installation and fitting job much easier.
When replacing bearing (if needed) make sure you set the new one all the way, flushed in. I did not insert it completely, was afraid to hit the new gimbal bearings too hard and damaged it, so it was left not flushed and I almost killed my shoulders trying to install the outdrive. When I took the boat to my mechanic, I realized that you had to hit the bearing (using an appropriate installation driving tool) really hard. He did hit it full force with a sledge hammer. After that outdrive went in perfectly.
I would also change the gear lube hose from the extra lube reservoir, if you are replacing it all. Mine was leaking from the beginning, had a small crack, so I replaced that hose and then for the good measure the rest of bellows. Watch out for the plastic fitting for the hose - it is not very strong and could easily break. This would add a LOT of extra time to your project!
 

kulle

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May 23, 2018
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294
"A
lso when I replaced the exhaust bellows, my mechanic advised me (again for Alpha One Gen II outdrive) to replace two fixed sided bellows with a sleeve type on the outdrive side. It made the installation and fitting job much easier."

What does this mean? Not sure I understand.
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
He changed from an exhaust bellows to an exhaust tube. Bare in mind, a tube is quite a bit louder, and a lot of people go back to a bellows after using the tube for 'not very long'...
 

poconojoe

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Sep 10, 2010
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1,966
I'm gonna add my 2 cents concerning remote lube transom fitting.
This bulkhead fitting is made of plastic and is easily broken off. Don't yank or bend the tubing, you will break the fitting. Carefully, I mean surgically slice the old tubing without damaging the plastic fitting. If you break this fitting you may have to remove your engine to get to the "E" clip on the inside!

I have the big sun pad instead of a doghouse and was able to contort and reach with one hand, but it wasn't easy.
 

kulle

Petty Officer 1st Class
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May 23, 2018
Messages
294
Is there any trick to loosening / tightening the bell housing pins to avoid the housing from wanting to lift up on starboard side and port side when putting back on other than a foot in the bell housing for leverage?
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
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May 19, 2004
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27,468
Doesn't matter if it 'flips up'... Just keep turning the tool. It'll break free eventually... Never had any problems just turning it....

Chris..........
 

kulle

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Joined
May 23, 2018
Messages
294
Chris watching your vid about water pump service on a1gen2. i have my outdrive loke you have in upright on a stand. going to replace my impeller , gaskets, etc. if i remove the top/bottom as you did, do i have to drain the gear oil or will oil come pouring out when i lift off the top? not sure if you drained yours prior to that vid. thanks
 
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