How to inspect the bellows without damaging them

[pvancorenland]

When I replaced my U-joint bellows, the instructions said to put bellows adhesive on both the transom and drive side.
Bellows are supposed to be replaced every 5 years or so, but should be inspected every year.
What is the best way to pull the bellows from the drive side so they can be inspected?

 

[Don S]

Re: How to inspect the bellows without damaging them

You don't remove the bellows to inspect, you just look at them in place. When you pull the drive, you look for water, if none they obviously aren't leaking. Look at the outside, any cracking, holes, or wear marks should tell you to replace it.

 

[pvancorenland]

Re: How to inspect the bellows without damaging them

Sounds like a plan.
Should I plan on changing the nylon locknuts every time I pull the drive?

 

[Don S]

Re: How to inspect the bellows without damaging them

No.
If you can't turn the nuts past the nyloc, then you might consider replacing them. But, with 50 ft lbs of torque, I can't imagine 6 different nuts coming loose.

 

[pvancorenland]

Re: How to inspect the bellows without damaging them

Cool!
I always thought that Volvo's recommendation to discard the nuts was just a way to make more money on parts

 

[Don S]

Re: How to inspect the bellows without damaging them

Cool!
I always thought that Volvo's recommendation to discard the nuts was just a way to make more money on parts

What drive do you have, Volvo doesn't recommend bellows adhesive at all. I kind of assumed you had a Mercruiser since no one else has a product called bellows adhesive.

 

[pvancorenland]

Re: How to inspect the bellows without damaging them

Mmm, I thought that it would show in my signature (I filled out the info in my profile).
I have a 5.7GSI PEFS with a DP-S outdrive. I bought the OEM kit and it told me to use an adhesive.

Here's from th 7743008 manual:
"Apply Volvo Penta Gasket Sealing Compound around the complete
inner V-shaped lip of the pivot housing, to seal the U-joint
bellows against water entry."

I went to alocal boat dealer and they weren't carrying the VP stuff so they gave me the bellows adhesive.