U-Joint Bellows

[Knot Waiting]

Can you replace the U-Joint bellows on an Alpha 1 without disconnecting the shift cable? If so can you just feed any extra cable back in when reinstalling the bell housing? Thank You - Logan

 

[Don S]

Re: U-Joint Bellows

Yes you can. Be very careful and don't kink the cable while working on the bellows or you will need a new cable.
Also keep it in mind that the shift cable bellows also goes bad, and is a lot thinner material than the ujoint bellows.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: U-Joint Bellows

In that case is is possible to re-use the shift cable? Like can you remove the shift lever and the bell housing then reinstall them over the old cable? Im attempting to make this as headache free as possible learin as I go.

 

[Don S]

Re: U-Joint Bellows

IF you want it to be as painless as possible, at least have a Merc service manual handy. If you don't, here is a link to a free online one.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf

Also, you need to disconnect the cable from the engine side. Loosen the small square head screws on the black end of the cable. Then loosen the jam nut on the threaded barrel. Then remove the threaded barrel from the cable end. Then you can pull the cable through the transom shield and bellows. You can also pull the inner cable from the outer cable from the drive side. Again, don't kink or bend it.
Best bet if the cable is over roughly 4 or 5 years old is to replace it now. Or you will be doing the whole thing again sooner than you want.

 

[tommays]

Re: U-Joint Bellows

Some of this stuff is on a GEN II drive BUT its so much work to get to the bellows you REALLY want to change EVERYTHING


Because if your shift belows leaks Or you trim limit fails Or your water hose goes bad you will be takeing it apart again :devil:


Tommays