Water in U-Joint Bellows

[MercMonster]

The drive is a mercruiser I or R #4448631?? Had an ounce or so of water sitting in U-Joint bellows when I pulled the drive. U-Joints were rusted but surprisingly flexible and are being replaced. Are there any other places the water could have reached by entering that bellows. It looks like I can R/R the bellows without removing anything else. I know it probably makes it harder to R/R, but is it okay to remove it without removing anything else? Do I need bellows adhesive or do I replace dry?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

I would not waste time & effort trying to R&R the bellows wthout completely removing the bell housing & replacing the lower shift cable.....
I would definately use bellows adhesive.....​

 

[Don S]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

The gimbal bearing, and on the sealing surface of the input shaft on the drive. When the seal surface gets rusty, it will cause the seal to leak, then you have low oil in your drive and could loose the drive if gear lube not checked frequently.
If the hole is in the bottom of the bellows, not much water will remain in the bellows. So an ounce of water may or may not be how much water is actually in there when the boat is in the water.

 

[MercMonster]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

Thanks. I'll be checking those things. I did notice a light rusty powder on the upper side of the exhaust bellows, so I'm guessing the leaking rusty water dripped onto there from the hole in the u-joint bellows and dried into a light rusty film...

and on the sealing surface of the input shaft on the drive.

Don, when you are speaking of the input shaft on the drive are you talking about the "O" Rings behind the retainer on the bearing assembly? Just want to be sure I am following you correctly.

 

[Don S]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

Click here then go to page 3A-10
What I am refering to is the Yoke (Item 34 in the parts breakdown on 3A-10) getting rusty where the seal (Item 29) rides. The seal (29) will cause all the oil in the upper to leak into the bellows.