Bellow job question on Alpha 1 Gen 2 for DIY

[Franco_boater]

Hello dear friends, let me describe the situation.
I have boat with Alpha One Gen 2 from 2005, I am the owner since 2017.
During the summer (May-September) my boat is in the water all the time, There is no big issues at all with the boat but as a preventive action I was wondering about changing the bellows and gimball for the first time, since 2017 I haven't changed it. Probably the gimbal bearing was replaced in the paast because i can see the 'installation' marks on the bearing, I have greaseable bearing and it works quiet - I always grease it before and after the season.
What kit, part number I need for the job? I have found part# 30-803099T1 but it comes with sealed bearing, I would like to stick to the old 'greaseable' bearing, if I am right Sierra has it in offer?
Do I need to replace the throttle linkage?
Any help will be apprecaited, I have to do it by myself there is a lack of good mechanic where Im staying.

Thank you!

 

[Fun Times]

30-803099T1 is of a complete kit that includes the/a non grease bearing from Mercruiser… if you want to stay grease-able, you’d have to go after market which can be found by Sierra Marine part number 18-8206-1 = Transom Seal Kit with Greaseable Gimble Bearing that contains
Part # Description O.E. # Qty.
18-3602 Water Intake Hose 32-41725-33 1
18-7310 Hose Clamp — 2
18-7312 Hose Clamp — 1
18-2753-1 Shift Cable Bellows 74639 1
18-7321 Bellows Clamp 54-38863 1
18-21005 Gimbal Bearing = old Merc greaseable number 30-60794A4 1 that superseded to 30-879194A02 Gimbal Bearing Kit Perma Lube in all Merc kits.
18-2743 Drive Shaft Housing to Bell Housing Gasket 27-94996-2 1
18-2840 Bell Housing Gasket 27-35982 1
18-7153 O-Ring 25-25439 1
18-7170 O-Ring 25-33504 1
18-7117 O-Ring 25-35027 1
18-2750 Exhaust Bellows 18654A1, 32734A3 1
18-2747 Drive Bellows 816431A1 1.

There are other aftermarket kits available but come with the non grease type bearings…,
Mercury Quicksilver 30-803099t 1 - Transom Repair Kit is equivalent to parts:

• 18-8218 Sierra Marine (sealed bearing)
• 18-8206-1 Sierra Marine(grease bearing)
• 9A-116 SEI Marine
• MR-907 OBR Red Rhino
• 9-72900 Mallory Marine
• 21960 GLM

 

[Franco_boater]

Thank you, i was told for bellows go only OEM. Do you think Sierra kit is Ok?? Or just buy bearing And the rest stuff separately. from MERC Oem?

 

[Scott06]

Thank you, i was told for bellows go only OEM. Do you think Sierra kit is Ok?? Or just buy bearing And the rest stuff separately. from MERC Oem?

I would buy OEM as well my original bellows lasted 18 years why mess around with anything else

You could by the OEM kit and get a greaseable bearing but if yours is quiet now why replace it until it gets noisy

 

[FunInDuhSun]

I just helped a friend do this last weekend. He used aftermarket items. Do yourself a huge favor and replace all 3 bellows (drive, exhaust and shift cable). In our case, only the shift cable bellow was damaged but we replaced all 3 while we were in there. FYI- the shift cable must be removed to replace that bellows.
There are some special tools needed- flexible shaft socket wrench, shift cable socket and bellows seating tool- you cannot do the job without them. Good luck!

 

[FunInDuhSun]

I forget one more tool- not essential, but makes it waaaay easier to remove and hold the outdrive- a purpose-built outdrive jack! I decided to buy one just because I’ll need it soon to rehab a 23 footer sitting in my back lot.

 

[Franco_boater]

Ok so for shift bellows I have to replace whole throttle linkage and then readjust it??

 

[Scott06]

Ok so for shift bellows I have to replace whole throttle linkage and then readjust it??

yes or if you are reusing the cable you can take it off with the bell housing and slide it back in the new shift bellows.

Make sure to take out the inner core of shift cable (disconnect the end at the shift plate) pull out through bellhousing end. I run a weedwacker wire up the shift cable outer sheath and tie off to the engine. this will route your new cable outer sheath through the engine compartment and around the flywheel cover and exhaust wye pipe.

best is to get the factory manual #14 it outlines all procedures perfectly. Use some power tune to lubricate the driveshaft bellows retaining ring. This was the one part of the job I needed a helper for the bellows kept coming off the bellhousing while putting the ring on ....

 

[Franco_boater]

Thanks, I dont know if I have to replace the cable too or not, i dont have issues with the shifting (so far)... thanks!
I have Manual #14, do you think its enough for DIYer or maybe some videos are helpful for example with what bellow start the job etc... thanks!