MerCruiser Bellows R&R - Fast & Simple

I’m this video I show how to remove and replace the U joint bellows in a Mercruiser Alpha One Gen 2 outdrive system. Most methods show how to replace the bellows with the gimbal pins and gimbal removed. It’s much easier as I show in this video) to replace the bellows with the gimbal intact.
If it’s not clear ask questions in the comments.

[@BT-vm2jf]

So no clamp on the u-joint bellow on the bell housing side??

[@moccasinmarine]

No the bellows is held in place by a metal band that is pressed into the inside diameter of the bellows. As hard as they are to get out I’m guessing they must work well.

[@brunz3758]

i now use exhaust tube....no more bellows! great alternative

[@mikew.inversegravitycraft]

Have you done tensioning to hinge pins before on. Bravo 2 transom. Would you know what torque they need to be ?

[@moccasinmarine]

Sorry I have not removed hinge pins on a Bravo 2.

[@SUMBaLL00]

So how did you get the wire back in! I been fighting that thing! Had to walk away

[@moccasinmarine]

It’s call blood sweat and tears. Just have to use your fingers and make sure the wire doesn’t skip a groove I think in the video I said to take a before photograph, so you see how it goes back in. Can’t recall now.

[@SUMBaLL00]

@moccasinmarine ok round 2 lol thanks

[@franksmythe6969]

You absolutely do need to put adhesive on both sides of the exhaust bellows. You do not need to put glue on the bellhousing side of U-joint bellows. You kind of got stuff backwards there pal.

[@moccasinmarine]

Well I guess you are the only one who doesn’t use glue on the bell housing side. Why would you need to put glue on the exhaust bellows? That will just make it harder to remove next time.

[@franksmythe6969]

@@moccasinmarine Yeah that's exactly the point. It makes it hard to come off. The pressure of the exhaust going through there and moving the outdrive up and down it will work loose eventually. The adhesive is not necessarily about sealing it, but more about keeping it in place. Also, the whole point of the gen2 U-joint Bellows design so that you don't have to glue it on to the bellhousing because it's not held on with a hose clamp. I know a lot of people put glue on that, and I guess it doesn't hurt, but it's not necessary.

[@moccasinmarine]

@@franksmythe6969 I’m going to have to disagree. I would rather the exhaust bellows come off (which if it’s clamped right it shouldn’t) than to have to fight glue each maintenance season. If it comes off the only harm is lots of noise and less power due to lack of propeller exhaust scavenging. As for the U joint bellows if that leaks the boat can sink so I think glue all around reduces sinking risk.

[@franksmythe6969]

@@moccasinmarine listen man, you do what you got to do. I'm just telling you the way it supposed to be done. You look at any service manual and that's what they're going to tell you. Secondly a leaking U-joint Bello is not going to sink your boat. Going to ruin your gimbal bearing but it won't sink your boat. It's a very common misconception.

[@moccasinmarine]

@@franksmythe6969I personally know of one boat that sank at the dock in less than 24 hours due to a leaking U joint bellows. Of course his bilge pump auto switch wasn’t working either.

[@brunz3758]

do NOT glue exhaust bellows!