How difficult to change u-joints bellows ?

[Marcq]

On a Mercruiser outdrive ? If too difficult, how much would it cost to have it replace by a certified mechanic

The engine is a Mercruiser 4.3l

Thanks, Marc..

 

[Bondo]

Re: How difficult to change u-joints bellows ?

Ayuh,.......

It's a Knuckle Buster of a job,.......

I was talking to the guy who owns the Marina accross the river from My place last weekend,....
John stated his Usual fee for replacing All of the Rubber Parts,+ the Lower Shift Cable is $350. Plus parts.....

 

[Marcq]

Re: How difficult to change u-joints bellows ?

Thanks Bond-o, don't think I will be busting my Knuckle on this one

Marc..

 

[brunolund]

Re: How difficult to change u-joints bellows ?

for the record, i just did mine on alpha one gen 2,
no real problems, but it did take 4 hours. i changed all rubber parts and the shift cable. had to weld two deep sockets together for the shift cable.
no special tools req'd, but i'm sure they would have made it easier.
i'm also pretty experienced for a shadetree guy.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: How difficult to change u-joints bellows ?

I'm still scratchin my head on this one. I just did mine on my 160 mcr last week and it went on way TOO easily. I pulled the bellhousing pivot pins out so it was loose, put on the bellhousing side, then pushed it up on the transom side. Held it a while so the glue could set up, then tightened the clamp. (which was the hardest part of the whole thing). I kept reaching up there and feeling of the area to make sure it was on because, as I say, it went on too easily. Put the pins back in and pronounced it done. That part of the job took no more than 30 minutes. Maybe the stars were lined up just right or something, because when I did it a few years back, it was a *****. But thinking back, I'm sure I put on the transom side first then, then had to pull it back and get it on the bellhousing side.

 

[Don S]

Re: How difficult to change u-joints bellows ?

An Alpha I Gen II is easy, Alpha I and earlier is a PITA. If in saltwater, double the times.

 

[Bondo]

Re: How difficult to change u-joints bellows ?

Ayuh,.......

Tommays has that picture of all the Special Tools required for the Alpha 1 Job,.......
And,....
Right in the center of the photo is his 1st Aid Kit......

 

[rodbolt]

Re: How difficult to change u-joints bellows ?

if ya aint bleeding your not working
cant tell you how many times I looked down and saw blood drops on the deck then look at my partner and say: one of us is bleeding
between the wire tie ends, hoseclamp ends and under deck gremlin teeth we techs do tend to bleed a lot.
my hands and arms are mostly immune to it now so I usually dont know I am bleeding until the blood makes the tool slippery or I see spots on the deck. occupational hazard,