MarineEngineParts.com Demonstrates a Bellows Replacement and Discusses Sterndrive Maintence

In this Episode of Ship Shape TV MarineEngineParts.com | Partman drops anchor for a little while to give a general run down of out drive repair, and demonstrates a bellows replacement job. While the out drive that was used is an Alpha I gen II this basic maintenance guide is applicable across all sterndrive manufacturers.

[@billyphantha]

Thanks for the high quality resolution but that was as brief as it gets. Nice upload though, helps a new boater like myself.

[@5andme851]

Yes but how do you remove the shift cable housing from a bravo 3 bellhousing to replace it??

[@GardylooAlaska]

Geez, How about the bellows retainer sleeve.... pretty brief how to...

[@thediplomasta5891]

If maintenance of a transom assembly and stern drive is too much for ya, then just get an inboard, and cut out the drive and midsection altogether! No bellows. No gimbal. No u-joints. Simplicity at its finest.

[@chadgeetter308]

my soon to be new 2015 searay 260 has a 300hp 350 mag and bravo lll drive. the exhaust seemed loud to me and it was suggested that when it comes time to have the bellows replaced, to have the exhaust boot replaced with a full exhaust bellow. there seems to be some concern about this online depending on engine size. what do you think? im looking for the quietest ride possible.

[@JohnC-SWO]

Hi. Great video. One qestion. I am changing bellows on my Sterndrive, but I didn't konw about the metal clip on the back on the below (U-joint) as you show in this video. Are they important, or can I continue without it? What is it good for? Hope you can help. BR John

[@davidhall1779]

clips form a contact connection between your new worm gear clamps and the aluminum case of the drive. What they do is bond the clamps making them part of your anti corrosion system. Without the clips, your worm gear clamps will corrode and rust away in a hurry and your bellows May come loose. They are important.

[@sueallen5479]

We asked to see how the billow is installed you do not show how to get the bellows in with the top ring. 😕

[@FlyMeAirplane]

What would be an estimated cost to have done by a marine place?

[@todds5956]

I have boat mercruiser 5.7 sterndrive bellows job in the shop now. 800 bucks

[@thediplomasta5891]

But it rarely stops there. As they go, they will find lots of stuff you need to replace. The midsection is often overlooked, but needs just as much maintenance and money as the drive and the engine. Yes, lots of special tools required, but they have gotten really cheap compared to 20 years ago. They would've been impossible to buy, if you were not a marine dealership. You can find most of them on Ebay nowadays. 😁 And a cherry picker (engine hoist) doesn't hurt to have on hand, for pulling the drive safely. That sucker is heavy. And about $8 per pound. You do not want to drop it.

[@kevkamo6289]

@@todds5956 did your cost of 800 bucks include an intermediate shift cable and trim pucks? If so you should keep that mechanic cuz he damn near works for free

[@PCSbball]

Lol they skipped absolutely every difficult part of doing this job plus the actual tools necessary to do it.

[@falconeaterf15]

This video is for entertainment purposes only.

[@markjennings2315]

Wanky graphics :-) Crucial thing is to put the hose clips in the right place so they can be reached to tighten/loosen once the bell housing is back on (and in the way )

[@richardm477]

fer gosh sakes, you didn't show how to install the bellows. Wasn't that the purpose of the video? What do you do if the grease marks arent good??

[@johndeneau7667]

This was completely useless. Thanks fellas.

[@dennis6325]

Sterndrives have got to be one of the most stupid inventions of our time. Complicated, expensive, inefficient and dangerous. Outboards or inboards are the way to go.

[@chartedtravel1776]

television sucks