Volvo SX bellows expensive

[SeaHorse]

I took my freshwater only 2006 Stingray 3.0 Volvo SX (approx 120 hrs) to the dealer for it's first i/o maintenance (other than oil change) for about $200 (including motor winterization)--fair enough. I wanted the bellows replaced but was told that would boost the cost to over $700 since the bellows kit alone was over $300. Geez, I thought new bellows would add maybe $100 total including labor. Once the drive is off, sliding on the new bellows is easy...right? Anyway, I was told the original bellows should last about 10 years. Does all this sound right?

 

[abj87]

Re: Volvo SX bellows expensive

no reason to replace every year.
As far as i know mine are the orgoinals still soft and show no wear. I would only replace if they leak, too hard, or show signs of wear.

 

[KJSmitty]

Re: Volvo SX bellows expensive

I took my freshwater only 2006 Stingray 3.0 Volvo SX (approx 120 hrs) to the dealer for it's first i/o maintenance (other than oil change) for about $200 (including motor winterization)--fair enough. I wanted the bellows replaced but was told that would boost the cost to over $700 since the bellows kit alone was over $300. Geez, I thought new bellows would add maybe $100 total including labor. Once the drive is off, sliding on the new bellows is easy...right? Anyway, I was told the original bellows should last about 10 years. Does all this sound right?

Bellows look like they could be a knuckle buster/gasher of a job..

Check your owners manual/maintenance recommendations from Volvo. My manual states "check at 50 hr intervals; replace as necessary or once every two years, whichever comes first..." My authorized Volvo shop/tech informed me they lean towards every 4 or 5 years.
I have a 2003 DP (entered ops spring of 2004) and the bellows are soft and appear completely fine. I pull the drive and check them (and everything else) each fall. I also perform visual/touch checks through-out the boating season. When I pulled the drive a few weeks ago I fully expected to just replace them. My thought now is to wait for next fall etc.. I also have 125 hrs on the engine/drive.

Cheers

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo SX bellows expensive

I'm not sure what you mechanic is trying to do to you, but to replace a bellows on an SX transom shield with the drive already off only takes a half an hour unless it takes a lot of cleaning because everything is covered with barnicals. Then it could take an hour.. The belows kit, (PN 3841481) which includes the bellows, one clamp and the instructions, has a MSRP of $47.67 (No, that is not a mis-type it's forty seven bucks and change.)
Sense the drive is off, you remove the pivot pins. loosen the bellows clamp and lift it out from the top. Put the new one back in and your ready for the drive.
I think the every 2 years is a little quick for those bellows. It was a great idea for the 290 sytle drives because the bellows was so much thinner. I have aloways recommended replacing the SX style after 5 years. It's the same exact bellow that OMC used on the older Cobra drives.