bellows replacement help

[weatherz]

Re: bellows replacement help

With all due respect to Rod, I made an exhaust bellows tool from a peice of 1/4" steel rod from home depot, put about an 80 degree bend in it an inch or two from the end, ground the end flat so it would fit in the bellows groove and it took me about 10 minutes to install the exhaust bellows, of course this was with the drive removed. Also took a standard craftsman deep socket, turned it down on a lathe and it works great for the shift cable. And I saved all that waiting on UPS time!

 

[craze1cars]

Re: bellows replacement help

OK, finally got my parts and all my homemade tools are working great. Due to information overload in the meantime from all sorts of different souces, I have one last question on this bellows replacement project...Which ends need the adhesive, and which don't?<br /><br />Obviously yes on the gimbal end of the Ujoint, however it seems to me I read somewhere that the aft end of the U-joint does not, because the metal retainer ring makes a positive seal and that's held tightly in place by the drive itself. But my old one was indeed glued on both ends so I'm questioning that. And I've also read somewhere that the exhaust bellows doesn't need it at all because it's full of water all the time anyway to who cares if it seeps a touch (plus my old was NOT glued at all) Did I mis-read any of this somewhere? What about the shift cable bellows? Certainly yes on the fat end, but do I want/need it on the skinny end that hugs the cable?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: bellows replacement help

your ok with the adhesive. on the shift bellows small end I use a wire tie. the factory clamps rust away in a year here. same as the upper shift shaft seals in the exaust cavity.just make sure the proper ridge in the bellows is in the aft groove in the bell housing. the bravo and the alpha use the same bellows but mount differently.<br /> I use OMC adhesive M or 3M weatherstrip adhesive to hold the quad ring in the bellhousing when used. but nothing on the bellhousing bellows end unless its corroded some. them a smear of perfect seal works well.<br /> wynter<br /> sounds like a good tool. however you spent 4 times the time( I bill at 75/hr) looking and making than what the tool cost. will it work ok for occasional use? most likly. would it be suitible for 20 or 30 a year? most likly not. the factory tool has some locks that not only hold the bellows expanded but also holds it in place while you access the aft clamp. takes 2 min with the proper tool. and quite a bit of tools you get to buy cause they get sent to you and billed later. but if you ever wish to be humbled install the aft end of a NEW exaust bellows with the drive on . it is possible but Ill never try it again.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: bellows replacement help

Never mind....I found very specific answers after further studying the service manual that Don S posted. (Took me a little while to figure out how to operate the durn manual....they should write a manual for that!!) Thank you for posting it, that was extremely helpful. Incidentally, they do recommend adhesive on both ends of the exhaust bellows, though I've heard from many that it's really not necessary. Then again I hear from many that these tend to slip off sometimes. Concidence?!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: bellows replacement help

the biggest reason I use adhesive on the exhaust bellos is ti wil act as a lubricant while assembling .<br />and yes if the clamps are not positioned or tightened propely they can slip off.