do you have to have an expander tool?

samtron

Cadet
Joined
Jan 16, 2009
Messages
10
is a bellows expander tool needed to get the exhaust bellows on a alpha one outdrive?
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: do you have to have an expander tool?

You might eventually get it on without it, but it's not going to be easy.
 

bigbob_FTW

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 10, 2007
Messages
290
Re: do you have to have an expander tool?

i did mine without. your knuckles will suffer, but it can be done.
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: do you have to have an expander tool?

i did get the tool prior to working on my boat. so i've never done the deed w/o it. but i will say. having it makes life mighty easy after fighting with the water hose and driveshaft bellows. if the bellows are new. i can't imagine not having the tool as it sure looks like it'd be hard to put your hand up there to stretch them out + put the bellows on + get a clamp on it..
 

JustJason

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 27, 2007
Messages
5,327
Re: do you have to have an expander tool?

the tool doesn't just expand the bellows... but it more pulls it to the bellhousing. You can get aluminum strips at home depot to make your own tool if you don't want to buy one.
 

Aviator5

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 10, 2009
Messages
431
Re: do you have to have an expander tool?

Have done it once, won't do it anymore without tool.
 

oldsub86

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 9, 2008
Messages
311
Re: do you have to have an expander tool?

Anyone got a photo? What does this thing look like?

Randy
 

windsors03cobra

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 22, 2009
Messages
1,191
Re: do you have to have an expander tool?

I just got all my news bellows today and am planning to do it all up on Saturday, I left my bellows at dads and hes in OH till then so I am going to guess on the diameter at 1.5".

I'm guess I'm going to cut the 1/4" long piece of 1.5 in half and then tig some arms onto the halves, which I will bend where necessary and use visegrips to hold "expanded" and "out".
Was planning on no tool but now I read this, on a side note the tolerance ring on my sterndrive was installed the "right way" and I had my gimble bearing knocked out in a matter of 3 minutes, t'was shot too. :cool:
New shift cable looks nice. :) 1/4" NPS tap coming soon. :rolleyes:
 

hoot

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 8, 2002
Messages
434
Re: do you have to have an expander tool?

for some reason i think i read this somewhere, that you can attach the bellows on the stationary side and let it set overnight. it takes the shape of the metal part and then you turn the bellows around and attach it to the bell housing easier.
 
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