Bellows replacement questions

[Rob406]

Hey guys, I have a 19' bowrider with the Mercruiser 4.3 Alpha 1 Gen 2.

Need to know if there is a correct order of install i should follow for installing all the bellows, and if I am supposed to install them on the gimbal housing first or the bell housing first?

More information: I have a complete bellows kit, (gimbal, exhaust, shift cable, all clamps, etc) also has the water pickup tube and gimbal bearing. Also have two new u joints and an impeller kit. The outdrive is off, the lower shift cable is out, the bellhousing is off, the gimbal bearing is out, and also the two u joints are out. I do have the bellows spreader tool and also a Seloc manual but it is fairly vague, so looking to you guys for help!

 

[Boater31]

I just did this. I would do gimble bearing first. I then put it back together doing water tube on gimble first. Make sure length is correct. I think 13". Little dish soap and it slides right on. My plastic tube was cracked so make sure the plastic tube isn't, now is the time to replace if it is. Then I also replaced gear lube hose and fitting, also cracked. Gear hose is 10". Next I installed outer shift cable to bell housing, makes sure to use perfect seal and tool. Tighten to no more then 2 threads showing. Next comes shift bellows, use plenty of grease and push cable threw bellows and slide bellows close to Bell housing. Insert cable into boat, hopefully you have a chase wire from uninstall. Then use bellows adhesive on bellows and install to gimble. Let dry a good long time and tighten clamp, no need to wrench super tight just securely. Then do exhaust bellows to gimbal and tighten. I did it dry. Next is uj bellows, bellows adhesive on bellows and gimbal per instructions, make sure bellows is orientated correctly, one side says top under the clamp. Push on to gimbal and make sure it seats in the groove, should pop in place, after it dries tighten clamp. Now the fun part. Install lube hose to bell housing and tighten zip tie, then water hose to bell housing, tighten clamp. Clamp has to point down on inside of bell house, again dish soap makes it easier to push on. Once it's tight move on to getting uj bellows into bell housing, no adhesive but make sure it's in the groove all the way around. Install hinge pins. Use sleeve tool and power tune to install sleeve to uj bellows. If you have the exhaust tool remove shift shaft. Make sure clamp is on exhaust bellows, insert tool to first convulation and pull on to bell housing, when its on, move tool to 3rd convulation and pull to slide locking pin in the tool sides. Then tighten the clamp. Remove tool and install shift shaft. Install and adjust inner shift cable per manual. Set gimbal bearing and allign. Done. If you want to replace trim sender and limit now's the time before assembly.

 

[Rob406]

Thanks for the detailed writeup Boater31. One thing that has me confused is the alignment of the gimbal bearing. I have the alignment tool coming on its way in the mail, should be here in a few days.

Do I just press the bearing in as I normally would, and then slide the tool in afterwards, to check alignment? Is there some way I use the tool to actually align the bearing?

 

[Boater31]

Never had to do a gimbal bearing, but a search of these forums will show plenty of results to answer all your questions. Short answer is yes

 

[kulle]

Thanks for the detailed writeup Boater31. One thing that has me confused is the alignment of the gimbal bearing. I have the alignment tool coming on its way in the mail, should be here in a few days.

Do I just press the bearing in as I normally would, and then slide the tool in afterwards, to check alignment? Is there some way I use the tool to actually align the bearing?

yes, the mercrusier manual spells out how to align. i did mine this way:

after pressing in gimble bearing, put some grease on the tip of the alignment bar(that goes into engine coupler).
put alignment bar all the in, straight, do not turn. make sure it goes all the way onto the couple.
pull straight out and look for where the grease is missing on the bar end. that is where the adjustment needs to be made.

to adjust put bar all the way back in and using hand , give it a whack on the bar at 90 degree angles. i.e., up/dwn & left/right
regrease and test. bar should go through gimble and into coupler relatively easily. others can explain more as they have more experience.

 

[Rob406]

Ok guys that sounds simple enough. Thanks for the time,

One more thing for now, Boater31 specifically, it sounds like you made all your bellows connnections on the gimbal housing first, and then tied them on to the bell housing, is that correct?

Also you mentioned the Gear Lube Hose. I don't believe my setup has one. Does this make sense?

 

[Boater31]

Yes, all connections on gimbal first. I'm not a expert on options part. Serial number might help figure that out, if you don't have it then there should be a plug in gimbal and bell housing on starboard side.