SX-A u-joint bellows replacement

[skydiveD30571]

I had a mechanic pull the drive lask week expecting expensive issues with the u-joints after hearing a ticking/clacking noise from that area of the drive. The tension clip inside the u-joint bellows on the transom shield side dislodged and was being hit by the spinning u-joints causing the noise. I was told this happens due to running with the drive up, which hasn't happened since last summer. We put it back where it's supposed to sit with some pliers, and put the drive back on. Bellows, u-joints, gimbal bearing are in great shape with no signs of water or wear.

Saturday the boat ran all day without the noise. That evening while idling back into the cove I heard it again, and continued hearing it only at idle for the rest of the weekend. Unfortunately the mechanic had an emergency double bypass surgery saturday and is (obviously) unavailable for awhile. All other mechanics are atleast 3 weeks out, but one did give me some info. He said that clip is basically part of the bellows, so he thinks the only thing to do is replace the bellows. It looks like I will be tackling this on my own. I have the service manuals but they don't really answer my question:

Do the gimbal ring and pivot housing need to be removed to replace the u-joint bellows? Is it easier to remove them or leave them on and work around? I'm seeing the OEM part # is 3841481 and the Sierra aftermarket part is 18-2765 (half the price as the oem part). I've read that Don says not to use mallory bellows. ever. Is the Sierra replacement a good choice? As always, thanks for the help fellas.

 

[Don S]

Re: SX-A u-joint bellows replacement

Here is the Sierra site, type in that Volvo number and see what you come up with http://a1078003.sites.myregisteredsite.com/sierra/catalog/2010interchange.asp

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: SX-A u-joint bellows replacement

The Sierra website does not list that volvo number, but marinepartssource lists the Sierra 18-2765 as a substitute (says it will fit all sx drives.

Is there any gain from staying with the OEM part in this case, or are they identical and I can save some cash using the Sierra part?

Also, any guidance on whether or not the gimbal ring and pivot housing need to be removed would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: SX-A u-joint bellows replacement

Is there any gain from staying with the OEM part in this case,

I personally would never use any aftermarket bellows on the Volvo drives. Nor Mercruiser drives either for that matter. The ujoint bellows are just to important, and they ruin to many expensive things when they go bad for me to save a few bux.

Actually, they are really easy to change, no special tools required.
Remove the drive.
Disconnect the exhaust bellows from the pivot housing. Here is a snap ring inside the bellows.
Unscrew the large plastic nut on the pivot housing that holds the water hose fitting in, and push the fitting out of the pivot housing.
Disconnect the ujoint bellows from both ends and carefully pull out the bottom past exhaust bellows and hose.
Install new bellows in reverse order, just be careful not to snag or cut the new bellows on anything when pushing it up into position.
Use a new sealing ring around the water port when you put the drive back on.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: SX-A u-joint bellows replacement

Fantastic thanks Don. The sealing ring you mention, is that number 10 in the diagram below? Does number 8 need replaced also?

 

[Don S]

Re: SX-A u-joint bellows replacement

Just disregard my post on how to change the bellows. That info was for the earlier SX drives, not the SX-A. It might work, have no idea, never changed the bellows on an SX-A to find out if there is a short cut or not. In my description, I was referring to seal 8 in your picture. The SX didn't have a seal 10.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: SX-A u-joint bellows replacement

Don the same method works with the sx-a drive.

Got the drive pulled today, pulled the exhaust bellows, pulled the water hose off the nipple, and the u-joint bellows came right out the bottom with not much effort.

The metal coil that spirals inside the u-joint bellows from front to back was dislodged again. The end that comes out of its groove is bent and twisted differently than the untouched end, and protrudes out much more. I assume this is from when it orginally caught the u-joint, and now it gets caught very easily. I am ordering a new volvo penta bellows which will have a new coil wire in it which should solve the problem.

Thanks for the help once again, I will report if it solves the noise for good since I found other threads about other sx-a owners having the same noise.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: SX-A u-joint bellows replacement

Installed new bellows and didn't notice the noise for a day or two, but heard it all this weekend at the lake.

I'm starting to think it is a common issue with these drives. According to this thread I found titled "Do you have a noisy VP SX-A drive?":

http://www.boatingabc.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/468770/Do_you_have_a_noisey_VP_SX_A_d.html

There are alot of other people who notice this same noise. A chatter coming from the upper gearbox area, that occurs ONLY in neutral idle, and is more likely to appear on a warm condition. It disappears entirely once put into gear. VP seems to know about this noise and says it is normal.

Replacing the bellows was good maintenance and experience, but it doesn't seem to be the problem. Any ideas what would cause this? Seems like most people agree that it is slack that tightens up in gear.