Bravo U joint Bellows Do Over?

[CayugaCobalt]

Installed new U joint bellows on Friday, having removed the helmet, and now have found its not completely seated around 100% of the circumference. Looks to be completely seated on 85-90% of the circumference.

Whats my next move?

Adding the bonding cement to ID and OD of offset area and pushing it on?
OR pull it off and restart?

 

[alldodge]

I would start over
What are you using to install ring?

Your adding the boding element, it should be pre-installed on the boot?

 

[CayugaCobalt]

I would start over
What are you using to install ring?

Your adding the boding element, it should be pre-installed on the boot?

Thanks. I perhaps was not specific enough. The U joint bellows at this time is only attached to the gimbal housing/transom. I have not installed the helmet yet. I am using the quicksilver brand bellows adhesive. I fell into this problem partly because the old one slid on and off so easily, didnt anticipate needing to stretch new one out and around. I did recognize I didnt have it 100% the first second and third attempts but felt it was on there afer a 10 min wrestling match and left it for adhesive to dry before cranking on metal hose clip.

You still recommend I pull it and start over?

When I do install the helmet, I will pull U joint bellows with cement on it into helmet by hand and use round tool to pound in ring.

What do you mean by boding element? When I google boding it comes up as a brazing term. If asking bonding element, dont have or know what that is either. Some sort of catalyst for the adhesive?

 

[CayugaCobalt]

Thanks. I perhaps was not specific enough. The U joint bellows at this time is only attached to the gimbal housing/transom. I have not installed the helmet yet. I am using the quicksilver brand bellows adhesive. I fell into this problem partly because the old one slid on and off so easily, didnt anticipate needing to stretch new one out and around. I did recognize I didnt have it 100% the first second and third attempts but felt it was on there afer a 10 min wrestling match and left it for adhesive to dry before cranking on metal hose clip.

You still recommend I pull it and start over?

When I do install the helmet, I will pull U joint bellows with cement on it into helmet by hand and use round tool to pound in ring.

What do you mean by boding element? When I google boding it comes up as a brazing term. If asking bonding element, dont have or know what that is either. Some sort of catalyst for the adhesive?

I now see, you were referring to my question if I could just add a little bonding cement ( adhesive) to the section that is offset and then push it on the rest of way instead of starting over. When i initially installed, I made a continuous bead and was only now considering adding adhesive in order to repair my sloppy install instead doing complete re-install.

Any advice on technique needed to stretch this new bellows out and get it completely seated?

 

[alldodge]

I'm not seeing/feeling what you are so just using your words.
If you don't think the bellows is on correctly then it needs to be redone. If you can put the hose clamp on in the correct orientation and clamp it down tight and the bellows does try to push it self off than your most likely ok

The bellows has flat spots which should be on each side and vertical. The bellows also has a stainless bonding clip. In LINK see the small metal piece on ends of bellows

 

[Bondo]

I now see, you were referring to my question if I could just add a little bonding cement ( adhesive) to the section that is offset and then push it on the rest of way instead of starting over. When i initially installed, I made a continuous bead and was only now considering adding adhesive in order to repair my sloppy install instead doing complete re-install.

Any advice on technique needed to stretch this new bellows out and get it completely seated?

Ayuh,...... Spray the bellows, where it contacts, 'n get hung-up, with QuickSilver Power Tune,....
It'll slip right on,.......

 

[CayugaCobalt]

Ayuh,...... Spray the bellows, where it contacts, 'n get hung-up, with QuickSilver Power Tune,....
It'll slip right on,.......

I am glad I pulled it off the transom to remount as you recommended because I failed to realize the inner bead/ridge on the bellows is not a "edge stopper" but must go all the way into that groove on gimbal/transom mounting ring. So I was struggling to only go half way LOL! Y'all should pull up a chair and have a laugh watching make all these mistakes.

Arent we supposed to put adhesive on both the inner bellows lip and the gimbal/transom mounting ring, then let it dry a little, then slide together?

Are you saying spray the adhesive OR only put adhesive on the gimbal/transom mounting ring and spray Powertune on the bellows ?

 

[Bondo]

Are you saying spray the adhesive OR only put adhesive on the gimbal/transom mounting ring and spray Powertune on the bellows ?

Nope, not what I'm saying,.....
I haven't done a bellows on a Bravo, 'n don't know 'bout gluing it on,.....

I'm just saying that any rubber piece that refuses to go onto/ into whatever it needs to go onto/ into, 'n it don't want too,....
Spray it with PowerTune, 'n it'll happen, Easily,....

That's how I install the locking ring into an Alpha Gen.ll bellows,...
By hand, no tools necessary,....