Mercruiser, Volvo penta or other ?
Think it depends on which drive you have. Presumably mercruiser in this section.
If it's a mercruiser, they are fairly easy to do yourself and at minimum cost. Plenty of advice on YouTube and manuals and saves you plenty of money for beer tokens and a season worth of fuel anyway !
+1 on doing them yourself if mechanically inclined and patient. You'll save a ton of money. Like QBhoy said, plenty of how-to help on You-Tube and certainly this forum.
Only one person so far has actually answered your question. I will try to be the second.
You are looking at 5-6 hours of labor plus parts which will be an additional $200. Make sure whoever does it only uses OEM bellows. If labor rate is $100, you are looking at $800. Adjust accordingly based on labor rate. If the boat has been used in saltwater and the drive hasn't been off in awhile, the price may jump.
Only one person so far has actually answered your question. I will try to be the second.
You are looking at 5-6 hours of labor plus parts which will be an additional $200. Make sure whoever does it only uses OEM bellows. If labor rate is $100, you are looking at $800. Adjust accordingly based on labor rate. If the boat has been used in saltwater and the drive hasn't been off in awhile, the price may jump.
I thought about trying to DIY but I hear trying to stretch the bellows to screw the clamp on is a nightmare. I am planned on having all 3 replaced, when looking at the videos the shiftcable bellow looks like it would be the worst. Which bellow is the hardest to replace? Oh if it helps this is on a alpha gen II
I had the bellows done on my mercruser, 3, shift cable, trim sensors replaced, and a new wire ran up to the trim gauge, by a reputable dealer, $800, i had in done in March of last year, dont wait for boating season
1200 to replace bellows is quite expensive. But remember for a professional to remain in business he has to make money. Rent, lights, taxes ect cuts into those. So 1200 probably isnt that bad after all.
Have it done during the off season, wouldn't make you any difference if it took all winter your not using it anyway. Prime season is always a lot more money.
I thought about trying to DIY but I hear trying to stretch the bellows to screw the clamp on is a nightmare. I am planned on having all 3 replaced, when looking at the videos the shiftcable bellow looks like it would be the worst. Which bellow is the hardest to replace? Oh if it helps this is on a alpha gen II
Have it done during the off season, wouldn't make you any difference if it took all winter your not using it anyway. Prime season is always a lot more money.[/QUOTE)
tThe labor rate don't change in the off season. The time is the same around here. Maby it changes at some shops because they want off season work, but we are usually busy year round. This year we have over 5 boats to restore/service, with electronics, paint and fiberglass repairs. Winter really seems short for us, as far as getting it all done before launch season.
Was quoted $1000 from a professional marine repair shop for just the bellows replacement. (Tennessee) (Alpha one, GEN 1)
Did mine DIY several months back. All three bellows, gimbal bearing, coolant hose, and lower shift cable. I won't sugar coat it. It was a PITA. The driveshaft bellows was the hardest for me. The shift cable bellows was downright easy compared to the other two. I cursed more times replacing the bellows and shift cable than I did rebuilding the whole upper half of my engine. With that said, I did it all myself with genuine parts for less than $300 and a long Saturday.
Take away: use GENUINE parts. Thoroughly check the trim/tilt sender and replace at the same time if necessary. If you are already in there, replace the gimbal bearing. And ask yourself if you have more time or money at the moment. It is doable yourself (youtube), but it isn't fun.
I have heard this term before. An exhaust tube instead of a bellows. What is this tube and do they make it for an OMC stern drive? A link to one here on Iboats would be nice. I can't seem to find it myself.
Besides for the bellow kit what else would i need? I heard i will need a alignment tool. Also i have never pulled the outdrive myself. Do i need to drain the lower unit oil? Also the boat shops said i should replace the shift cable too
Please don't take offense to this.............
Judging by your questions I would suggest you research this project more before taking it on.
It's not terribly difficult but I think it requires a certain amount of mechanical ability and knowledge.
By all means I am NOT trying to defer you from doing this........just be prepared and know (Knowledge) what your in for.
