u-joint bellows change on volvo penta sp-a

[craigk]

Does anyone know for sure whether I have to pull the sterndrive in order to change the u-joint bellows? My Clymer manual says just pull the upper housing, but I'm into it now, and am not sure the instructions are right for this model.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: u-joint bellows change on volvo penta sp-a

I usually just pull the upper housing cause its a lot lighter than the drive assy .

 

[Don S]

Re: u-joint bellows change on volvo penta sp-a

That's all there is to it. Pull the upper gear box and you are there. You may have problems with the coupling between the upper and intermediate housing. I usually put a screw driver between the bearing of the upper housing and the intermediate housing and move the upper (aka top box) housing and push the coupling down off the shaft. They can be a bit stubborn at times.<br />Remember to use new orings when you put it back together, and keep it CLEAN!. You don't need corrosion, and grit in the bearings of the top box.<br />If you do find rust and water in the bellows, it would be best to take the top box to a dealer and have them replace the input shaft seal and sealing washer, and check the shimming while he has it apart.<br />Also, loose the Clmyers pretend manual. Get a Volvo manual from your dealer. It's PN 7731624

 

[craigk]

Re: u-joint bellows change on volvo penta sp-a

That's a relief guys! I ran into a bit of a snag with the connection between the steering helmet and the clamp-ring housing that attaches to the front of the top box. The steering helmet is in the way of any vetical movement of the top box. How can I move that sucker out of the way?<br /><br />You're right Don, I should just get the volvo manual...... I've picked up more than one error in the clymer, including the explanation on how to free the steering helmet from the clamp-ring housing Thanks for the input!

 

[Don S]

Re: u-joint bellows change on volvo penta sp-a

Where the helmut attaches to the top box, you will see 2 bolts holding the pivot pin in place in the helmut. Remove the 2 screws (5/16 allen wrench. To remove the pivot pin, take the short screw out of the back cover and run it down into one of the smaller holes. It just threads into the pivot pin and hits the drive a pushes the pin up. Then just move the helmut up.<br /><br />This is from the Volvo manual I mentioned earlier.<br />Actually, I have always used a single 1/4-20 bolt in place of the M6 the maual mentions, but the cover screw fits and works nicely.<br /><br />

 

[craigk]

Re: u-joint bellows change on volvo penta sp-a

amazing............. I noticed water dripping from the upper housing end of the bellows(series of small holes from age) recently, so am just getting into it. I don't know how long the bellows has had small holes. Is there anything else to do on spec., other than previously mentioned? <br /><br />Thank you very much for the help!

 

[Don S]

Re: u-joint bellows change on volvo penta sp-a

If you have water in the bellows, and you have been in salt water, you can just about bet you are going to need a new front seal and sealing ring for sure. Also pull the seal out of the intermediate housing (Engine bellhousing where the bellows is also attached.) and see if there is water in the grease (Milky or just water) if there is, you will need to replace those bearings also. Oh, By the way, that requires an engine pull to remove the bellhousing from the engine.<br />For future info, those bellows should only be used for a couple of years. If the go bad and water gets in, it can get real expensive real fast.