If anyone has any suggestions on how to put on bellows for a Mercury Mercruiser Alpha One, I am open ears. It is a real PITA, 9 1/2 hours, bloody nuckels, and a whole lot of frustration the exhaust bellow is still not on! Is there an easier way?
The exhaust one can be changed with the "cheater" bellows. It only attaches at the transom and not the drive itself. I put this one on my boat last spring.
My friend did his and said it was a PITA. Mine need done this summer, probably when I go on my non boating vacation. I was going to attempt myself, but may be beyond my skill level and tool collection. Got a quote for $7-800 depending on need to replace shift cable. Seemed reasonable, any thoughts?
That was the price I was quoted too, hence the reason why I am trying to do it myself, but I really am regreting my decision, this job is not easy at all and if any of my friends or family want me to do this for them the answer is NO!
I just ordered the tool, it should be here by Friday, but that isnt the only problem I have, when I put the bellow on the Bell Housing Side and start to tighten the hose clamp the stubborn bellow slides back off, I'm using the adhesive but maybe im not putting enough on or should I let it set up for a day before putting on the hose clamp?
If you are going thru the trouble of changing bellows, why not change shift cable and its bellows, gimball bearing, check alignment, etc. Its like taking a shower and putting your dirty clothes back on. Why do the job again next year for something else.
Its not an easy job, and there is a lot of cleaning involved. All surfaces should be corrosion free, especially where the bellows seal. Remember to grease the gimball and grease the splines that go into the coupler.
I purchased the whole kit and kabootle, I'm doing everything, gimbal bearing is in, shift cable is in, new rubber tube is in, Im only having problems with the bellows now.
So the latest and greatest news on the bellows, I got everything on including the lower unit, I hooked up the battery and started to trim it up to the haul position and the exhaust bellow slid right off! I am really starting to hate this bellow, why isnt there a "lip" to hold the bellow and clamp on, this is a stupid design! I now had to remove the lower unit again and attempt to get the exhaust bellow to stay, it it doesnt work this time, im gonna use something else other than bellow adhesive!
Atleast you are not missing any of the boating season. The way this weather is you should have another month before the rivers and rain are back to normal so take your time see you at the regatta weather permitting.
Replacing Bellows
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2007 Rinker 246 cc
Originally Posted by Cableguy Greg
