Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

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Gearing up to attempt the bellows replacement myself. Been reading and researching... Have a clymers manual, downloaded manuals and ordered a factory outdrive service manual. Will be building a stand on a dolly that I have first then will pull the outdrive. No rush on this as its winter so I'm gonna do this little by little. Just want to gather all the materials I need and am having issues finding the correct bellows kit. I would like to do both exhaust and u-joint along with all necessary gaskets and o-rings. Anyone point me in the right direction? I found this on ebay but don't really need the gimbal bearing as I won't be changing it out at this time.

Volvo Penta Transom Seal Kit for SX Drives 18 2772 1 | eBay

Is this ok to go with and just keep the bearing for future use or should i be looking elsewhere?
Thanks for the help in advance.
 
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skydiveD30571

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Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

Down there in the description it lists the part numbers of the included parts. If you want everything but the gimbal bearing, use the part numbers of everything else and check iBoats, MarinePartsSource, or your preferred parts website and see what you can gather.

Definitely follow the OEM service manual as the Clymers manual is about as useful as a kneeling pad. Replacing the bellows can be done without removing the pivot housing or gimbal ring if you prefer it. You'll have more room to work by removing them, but that also adds time and complexity.

When you're in there, don't forget the normal maintenance items like checking alignment, greasing u-joints and gimbal bearing if applicable, and greasing the drive shaft splines before reinstalling the drive.
 
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Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

Ok, got it. Thanks! I've gone through and written down all the parts except the two little o-rings are not listed. THey're shown in the pic but no part numbers. Will they need to be replaced? These go on the shaft I believe...
 
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skydiveD30571

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Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

It looks like they are part number 3852565 and yes they are located on the driveshaft right in front of the u-joints. I've never changed mine but some people do. For the life of me I cannot remember their purpose but I'm sure someone here does.

Edit: Found it. They are there to take out the slack in the bearing. Post #5 here.
 
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Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

Thanks all for the advice! Yea baja, I've read through your thread numerous times to get an understanding of what needs to be done. I'll surely be using it during the process.

Thanks for the advice Bruce, I will def get the OEM u-joint bellows as you suggested. While they don't appear torn, both bellows look old/crispy and since I just acquired the boat, I feel I should just replace both as preventive while I've got it taken apart. Hopefully I won't need to be replacing U-joints and gimbal bearing as well but we'll see when I get into it. They appear to be fine (no noise, excessive play in drive, etc.) but I'm not sure and will be looking at this when I get into it.

Will keep this thread updated as I progress through.
 
bajaunderground

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Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

The Bellows are correct (same part #'s as mine). I didn't use adhesive as I told it wasn't needed? Bruce can chime in on the necessity? I remember reading Don S. posting it wasn't necessary? I don't think you'd be wrong? I didn't replace the other as they all seemed okay? I did use some assembly lube on them?

Take your time It's not bad at all!

~Brett
 
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skydiveD30571

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Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

No need for bellows adhesive, that's a Merc thing. The SX bellows are designed to seal themselves when installed.

The rest looks good. Like Baja said, time your time and it's not bad at all.
 
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Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

Ok, ordered less the adhesive. Thanks again guys. Will keep you all updated with progress and pics when I get into it.
 
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Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

Nope, too damn cold and not enough time on the warm days to set aside and start. Got all the parts together, except for the o-rings which are on back-order through iboats. Will be building my outdrive stand over the next few... No rush as its not gonna be seeing any water for at least another 4 mos. Focusing on cleaning up all the vinyl and stainless steel hardware and rebuilding the sunpad as well as the anchor locker hatch which I'm doing in my basement where its warm... Will def be using your write up tho when I get around to it.
 
bajaunderground

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Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

As you know, I'll be tackling my interior over the next few weeks...I'll post some pics as well of the process and finished project! I'd love too see a few more of yours?

I've been spoiled as far as quality boats go...my Baja was old enough to be hand-laid (back in the day) and the quality was very good. The Chris Craft seems to be a quality boat compared to a few of the other mass produced boats...nothing like CC has built since 2004/05-Current. But it seems to be very well covered. I really like our fiberglass liner...it staved off lots of water intrusion into substructure!


BTW, what'd you give for the CC? If you don't mind me asking? You can always shoot me a PM if you'd rather not have that out in the open?

~Brett
 
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Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

Hey all, well finally got a little warm weather and an hour or two to kill so figured I'd start taking the outdrive off. Got up to removing the trim/tilt pivot rod and the thing won't budge. Walking it with a rubber mallet isn't doing anything. Any pointers on what I can do to get this out?
Heres a pic or three







Gotta love corrosion! :mad-new:
thanks!
 
bruceb58

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Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

You may have to walk each trim ram off that rod and then work on getting the rod out of the drive. I have used a big punch on the end(screw the nuts on there to protect the threads) to drive them out at that point after first soaking the heck out of each side with penetrating oil.
 
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Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

Ok so it's ok to hammer away at the trim rams to get them off the rod? Of course ill use a rubber mallet, just don't want to mess anything up. I just applied some PB blaster and will let it soak up some.
 
Lou C

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Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

No do not hammer them. One time I used a ball joint splitter to get em off and then carefully tapped the rod out like Bruce said. You cost the rod in OMC triple guard grese so the next time goes easier. Those cylinders cost about 550 each so be gentle with them.
 
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Re: Bellows replacement - 96 VP SX outdrive

Lou C said:
No do not hammer them. One time I used a ball joint splitter to get em off and then carefully tapped the rod out like Bruce said. You cost the rod in OMC triple guard grese so the next time goes easier. Those cylinders cost about 550 each so be gentle with them.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip on the ball joint splitter.... Will try that and let you know how it goes. As far as the grease, I will definitely be installing it back the right way with proper lubrication and will be removing it once a year. This is a new to me "old" boat so don't know when the last time the outdrive was removed and it was kept in the water down the shore for some time (not sure how long) so i've got some corrosion to deal with.

If this is an indication of things to come, removing the actual drive is gonna be loads of fun!! :cold:
 
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