Re: What else should I do while I'm replacing the bellows?
Hello, This is a job I have tackled before and like yourself, I will be doing it again in a few weeks. Buy a transom service kit. It will contain all of the parts that commonly need to be replaced when doing this service. The kit includes: The outdrive gasket set, drive shaft bellows, exhaust bellows, shift cable bellows, gimbal bearing and grease seal and molded water hose for the outdrive's water pickup. The cheapest place you will find these parts is at eBasic power. com. Their prices are first rate and they ship fast. Most of their parts are made by GLM marine, a good after-market supplier. If you are looking to do full maintenance here are some other things to check replace as well: U joints, They should have little to no play and should not have rust. If in doubt remember "new is best!" Shift cable, since you have to pull it out anyway to change the bellows on it. They bind and then your shifting goes to hell.

Now is a GREAT time to change it. Trim limit and senders, The cables that connect them to the engine's wiring falls apart

Then the drive don't trim right. They will be partially pulled out anyway, so that's another thing to consider. Outdrive zincs. They rot to save the drive. Guess what rots after they're gone and rotted away?

The water pump impeller and housings in the lower unit, It keeps you cool for the outdrive and the engine. No one wants to loose their cool 10 miles out...do they?

This is another kit you can buy. It will come with impeller, pump housings and all gaskets. Lower unit oil. Pick up two quarts of merc high performance lube, a lower unit pump and new drain and vent plug gaskets. When you drain the oil it should look like oil. Not milk or something that resembles a milkshake. If it does you need to have the outdrive resealed. Pull the prop and grease the shaft. If the prop needs to be pulled in the future you will really like yourself for doing this step! Put some aerosol antifoulant on the outdrive before you put the boat in. Barnacles may be cute, but they are not easy to evict when they move to your outdrive as their new home! You can get all of the parts for all of this service at ebasic power. Oh and above all BUY A MANUAL! Don't attempt to do any of this without one! You can get a generic Clymer or Seloc here at iBoats or at Ebasic's. But if you really want to get all of the best advice, get one from Mercury at their website mercury marine.com. I wish you the best of luck in doing your work. Give us a shout if you need some tips!