Changing Bellows on Alpha 1

thompsdw

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Dec 27, 2002
Messages
75
Do you remove the bell housing when changing the bellows on an Alpha 1. Any other tips are welcome. I am trying to prevent the verbal obsenities before they happen ....
 

rodbolt

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
20,066
Re: Changing Bellows on Alpha 1

hello<br /> yes I always do. it can be done without it but I dont because I cannot adequatly clean the mating surfaces or inspect the hose nipples and the other maint that needs to be done when the bellows is changed. if it is not dissasembled periodically it will not come apart when you need it to.<br />buy an exhaust bellows expander.<br /> I will repeat<br /> buy an exhaust bellows expander.<br /> for the hinge pins I use a 1/2 hex stock I cut from a large drift. I have broken 4 of the merc tools and and never the 1/2 stock. use a long 1/4 round screw driver if removal of the ex bellows is nessasary.<br /> why are you changing the bellows?<br /> did it leak or is this just something you want to do?<br /> how old is the transom assy?<br /> good luck and keep posting
 

Fishermark

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Messages
5,617
Re: Changing Bellows on Alpha 1

I have had quite a bit of experience with small block chevies and automotive work. I am fairly new at this "boat stuff." :) I consider myself a good "shade tree" mechanic... having said all that I recently replaced all the bellows (driveshaft, exhaust, and shift cable) in my alpha one. I did it without removing the bellhousing. (I tried, but the bolts were in there pretty good!) I also did it without the exhaust bellows expander tool. I say all of that to say this: it was probably the hardest thing mechanically I've ever done! Just getting the bellows back in with the bellhousing in the way and the clamps tightened is a job and a half. Good luck!<br /><br />(Yes, as Rodbolt wrote, twice, get the expander tool! :eek: )
 

thompsdw

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Dec 27, 2002
Messages
75
Re: Changing Bellows on Alpha 1

The gimbel is noisy so I need to change it. The drive is approaching 5 years old, so I am thinking that I should change prior to it failing.
 

rodbolt

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
20,066
Re: Changing Bellows on Alpha 1

hello<br /> I will ask once more.<br /> what drive are you servicing? there is a magor difference in alpha1 and alpha1genII<br />dont do it half rump shade tree style. it only makes for problems. remove it all and inspect it all. pay carful attention to the upper shift shaft seals. if any water is in the shift slide pocket then repair the leak and replace the cable. do it all do it once and go boating all season. do part now and the rest will quater and dollar ya to death.<br />good luck and keep posting and above all buy the service manual. then show me the procedure for bellows replacement without gimbal removal.
 

Fishermark

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Messages
5,617
Re: Changing Bellows on Alpha 1

Just to clarify - I wasn't recommending that you do it the way I did it. In fact, just the opposite. It would have been a much easier job to do if I had removed the bellhousing.
 

thompsdw

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Dec 27, 2002
Messages
75
Re: Changing Bellows on Alpha 1

I have a late model Alpha 1 Gen II drive.
 

rodbolt

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
20,066
Re: Changing Bellows on Alpha 1

hello<br /> on the genII drive you will have to make or buy the tool to install the bellows lock ring. good luck and keep posting<br />oh and always remember to disconnect the speedo pick up BEFORE drive removal. I still manage to break one or two a year :) :)
 
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