Bellows replacement

[Hommer24F]

I need to replace the bellows on my 2007 Bayliner Alpha one outdrive. Should I get a bellows kit from Quicksilver or is a kit from Sierra just as good, and how about the low priced kits on Amazon. I would like to make the right choice. Thanks.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... For rubber parts, I'd go 100% Oem,.... Well worth the cost,.....

 

[Scott Danforth]

in my experience in order

1. OEM
2. something sketchy off a guy sellling out of his trunk
3. something you pulled from a junk motor
4. something you 3D printed in your living room while in your PJs
5. Sierra
6. Chineseum carp from Amazon.

 

[Lou C]

An OEM bellows can last as long as 10 years, I feel it’s well worth it.

 

[Scott06]

I need to replace the bellows on my 2007 Bayliner Alpha one outdrive. Should I get a bellows kit from Quicksilver or is a kit from Sierra just as good, and how about the low priced kits on Amazon. I would like to make the right choice. Thanks.

Get the quicksilver/ mercury oem parts. My 2004 bellows lasted 18 years and still weren’t leaking …

also if yiu don’t have it get a factory service manual (#14) wells worth the money and goes through replacement would also get the shift shaft seals and bushings ( swiveling shift shaft in bellhousing) and shift cable.

 

[Hommer24F]

Thank you all for your replies, I will get the Quicksilver parts for these critical items. I do have the shop manual #14 which will be a great help. Again thank you.

 

[Lou C]

What I’ve done besides using OEM parts is to pull the drive at the end of each season & check for small cracks starting in the folds. When you see that, it means that the rubber is starting to get hard & less flexible. For me that’s usually 10 years. So my next replacement is in 2 years.

 

[Hommer24F]

What I’ve done besides using OEM parts is to pull the drive at the end of each season & check for small cracks starting in the folds. When you see that, it means that the rubber is starting to get hard & less flexible. For me that’s usually 10 years. So my next replacement is in 2 years.

Good to know. Thanks.

 

[airshot]

How you store your boat will affect the bellows life. To shorten the life span....keep your boat in the water..keep the outdrive in the up or trailering position...exposure to the sun...failing to inspect it every year...using non factory replacements.

 

[ROY WILLIAMS]

I need to replace the bellows on my 2007 Bayliner Alpha one outdrive. Should I get a bellows kit from Quicksilver or is a kit from Sierra just as good, and how about the low priced kits on Amazon. I would like to make the right choice. Thanks.

THE AMAZON IS THE CHINA BELLOWS CRAPING ....NO CHINA BELLOWS ...

 

[stresspoint]

gaskets , and as posted anything rubber on a boat gets replaced with OEM.

the dealers here in Australia try to pass serra and qic silver as OEM , not sure how that works as they only stock those brands and charge OEM prices.

so OEM all the way , its worth the cost .

 

[alldodge]

Quick silver is Mercury

 

[Scott06]

gaskets , and as posted anything rubber on a boat gets replaced with OEM.

the dealers here in Australia try to pass serra and qic silver as OEM , not sure how that works as they only stock those brands and charge OEM prices.

so OEM all the way , its worth the cost .

Quicksilver is Mercury's brand that they sell outside of their dealer network. It is the same as Mercury products and is not the same as Sierra which is an aftermarket supplier

 

[JASinIL2006]

For a part as important as bellows, and for one as difficulty to replace, I cannot imagine using anything other than Quicksilver/Mercruiser.

 

[Lou C]

Yep and the play on words that they used:
Quicksilver is old time miner slang for Mercury!
Even on my old OMC where you can't find parts everywhere, I always use OEM for bellows, impellers, and any other critical parts. I have used Sierra gaskets between the drive and the pivot housing and coated with Evinrude gasket sealer, they seal just fine.

 

[airshot]

After spending big money for a boat and all the time and energy to take care of it, why woukd antone want to skimp a few dollars on aftermarket, unknown quality parts ?? There are numerous articles about using Sierra parts in varuous forums about there use. Most claim they work ok, but definately are of lesser quality and don't last as long as oem !! You might save a few bucks up front, but will be doing that job over again sooner. One member of another forum even mentioned that aftermarket parts are used when you plan to sell the boat right away......but if your gonna keep and use it....

 

[tank1949]

I need to replace the bellows on my 2007 Bayliner Alpha one outdrive. Should I get a bellows kit from Quicksilver or is a kit from Sierra just as good, and how about the low priced kits on Amazon. I would like to make the right choice. Thanks.

I have never had problems with Sierra, but I have only had 8 MC motor/HDs since the 1980s.