Bellows replacement - special tools required?

[watchinthebobber]

I'm gearing up to change the bellows on my Alpha 1. I see the manual shows several special tools. Will I need these to complete the job?

Thanks

 

[achris]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

I'm gearing up to change the bellows on my Alpha 1. I see the manual shows several special tools. Will I need these to complete the job?

Thanks

Only if you want to do it properly.... The bellhousing end of the bellows has a locking ring which is impossible to fit without the special tool.

Chris.............

 

[Dshow]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

Is this similar to a CV boot on a car? Is the tool different?

 

[achris]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

Is this similar to a CV boot on a car? Is the tool different?

Completely different. A CV boot has a clamp band around the outside, the Merc bellows has a locking ring on the inside of the bellhousing... a real 'female dog' to fit, even with the right tool

Chris......

 

[watchinthebobber]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

I just got finished looking things over just to get an idea what I'm up against. I consider myself very mechanically competent, but I'm intimidated by this job. I may end up trying to get it done at a dealer. I'm so bummed right now. If I would have known about this when I looked at the boat I probably would have walked.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

It's not that big a deal. You might want to update your sig to say you have an Alpha 1, Gen 2.... That's assuming you have a gen 2? That's the one that requires the special tool.

 

[achris]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

'94 will be a Gen II. (I know 'cause I had one before the current engine...)
The 4.3LX has a Weber carb on it... Do you have a problem with re-starts after the engine's been sitting for more than about 10 minutes? Takes heaps of cranking? And then, when it does start, it smells like it's been flooded? (cloud of black smoke)

Chris.......

 

[watchinthebobber]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

'94 will be a Gen II. (I know 'cause I had one before the current engine...)
The 4.3LX has a Weber carb on it... Do you have a problem with re-starts after the engine's been sitting for more than about 10 minutes? Takes heaps of cranking? And then, when it does start, it smells like it's been flooded? (cloud of black smoke)

Chris.......

Yep, it's Gen II.

I haven't gotten to use the boat yet so I can't say. It has a flaky fuel pump that was causing hard starts, but I'm replacing that. When the pump works it starts and sounds great.

It's the bell housing that has me doubting. I'm assuming it has to be removed to change the bellows. Does it attach from the inside? If so, I don't think I could remove the bolts with the engine in the way.

 

[achris]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

Do you have the manual? If so, then you'll see the bellhousing is hinged, on 2 pins.. They're under/behind the trim position sender and the trim limit switch.... Remove the 2 phillips screws holding the senders on and you'll see the heads of the hinge pins... remove them and the bellhousing falls on ya lap... sort of...

Chris......

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

I?ve heard that you can remove the hinge pins with an allen wrench, but if they are in there tight, I may not trust it and would spend the $$ on a hinge pin tool (don't know if there is a risk of stripping the hinge pin with the allen wrench). You can get them on ebay for less than $20.

It's not all that hard of a job and if you get stranded in the middle of it, a repair shop could come in and bail you out.

 

[achris]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

I?ve heard that you can remove the hinge pins with an allen wrench, but if they are in there tight, I may not trust it and would spend the $$ on a hinge pin tool. You can get them on ebay for less than $20

Hinge pins should have Loctite on them.... Buy the right tool... $20 on ebay is good value...

Chris........

 

[watchinthebobber]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

So maybe I'm getting confused. I'm looking at the service manual right now (OEM). I was thinking the bell housing is the last piece that sits against the transom of the boat, but maybe not?

 

[watchinthebobber]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

I think it's the bell housing and gimbal housing that I'm mixing up. So by just removing the bell housing I will be able to replace all 3 bellows (u-joint, exhaust, and shift shaft)? Do I need to worry about engine alignment?

Thanks

 

[achris]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

Double click on the drawing

 

[achris]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

So by just removing the bell housing I will be able to replace all 3 bellows (u-joint, exhaust, and shift cable)?

Yes..... (don't worry about the exhaust bellows)

Do I need to worry about engine alignment?

No....

 

[watchinthebobber]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

Thanks for the drawing Chris, things are getting clearer now.

What do you mean about don't worry about the exhaust bellows?

How about the shift cable bellow anything special required to replace that one? Looks like you might need to use a swivel socket to remove/tighten the rear clamp.

Can I reuse the old gasket on the stern to bell housing connection or is it a good idea to replace?

Sorry for so many questions, but if I can nail this job myself it will save me a ton of money, time, and anxiety.

Thanks

 

[achris]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

Thanks for the drawing Chris, things are getting clearer now.

What do you mean about don't worry about the exhaust bellows?

Even if it gets a hole in it, it's not trying to keep water out...

How about the shift cable bellow anything special required to replace that one? Looks like you might need to use a swivel socket to remove/tighten the rear clamp.

Front clamp? I use 1/4" drive sockets with a uni joint...

Can I reuse the old gasket on the stern to bell housing connection or is it a good idea to replace?

They're cheap... safer to use new...

Sorry for so many questions, but if I can nail this job myself it will save me a ton of money, time, and anxiety.

Thanks

Good luck....

 

[watchinthebobber]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

Ok so to make a list I would need:

- new bellows (all 3)
- bellow adhesive
- stern to bell housing gasket
- expander tool for u-joint bellows
- special tool to remove hinge pins

Anything else?

 

[achris]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

Ok so to make a list I would need:

- new bellows (all 3)
- bellow adhesive
- stern to bell housing gasket
- expander tool for exhaust bellows
- special tool to remove hinge pins

Anything else?

- Special tool to install uni joint bellows retainer ring

That's about it that I can think of.

Chris... and bedtime

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Bellows replacement - special tools required?

Ok so to make a list I would need:

- new bellows (all 3)
- bellow adhesive
- stern to bell housing gasket
- expander tool for u-joint bellows
- special tool to remove hinge pins

Anything else?

spline grease and u-joint grease loc-tite to reinstall hinge pins
if your changing the shift cable bellows your going to need a small pice of stainless steal wire, for the wire loc on the end of the cable when you put the cable back in
i would consider changing the lower shift cable at this time too