Installing OMC Cobra - upper bellow keeps pushing in-gctid406329

[Guest]

I installed a new transom cable on OMC Cobra and am now working to reinstall the outdrive. In our pushing and shaking to get the dang outdrive back in, the upper bellow (one that collects all the grease from the u-joint on the driveshaft) keeps getting pushed in by the u-joint and the collar around it. How do you get this thing in without pushing that rubber boot in towards the engine?

Thanks in advance.

[Guest]

Are you sure it's seated correctly? Once in place it seems as though it will take some knocking around. Also are you sure the bellows are in upside right? I read some place that those bellows have move bumps or ribs on onside than the other. They are that way to allow it to tilt properly.

Greg

[Guest]

wefivehodges wrote:
Are you sure it's seated correctly? Once in place it seems as though it will take some knocking around. Also are you sure the bellows are in upside right? I read some place that those bellows have move bumps or ribs on onside than the other. They are that way to allow it to tilt properly.

Greg

It should be in correctly. I never removed it from the boat. Seems to be seated where it is supposed to be.

[Guest]

If you're doing that much pushing and shaking to get the outdrive on, you may want to check the alignment. The driveshaft should slide right in without much if any effort. Also, if the bellow is seated correctly it will not move out of position at all as there is a knife edge on the gimbal mount which seats into the bellow lip. Something amiss here.....

[Guest]

those bellows like to swell with age....not sure about "pushing in" though.... like coming detached?

I have this Caterpillar 1U9891 hydraulic oil additive. pour it on the U joint assembly, with a big screwdriver through the ujoint I roll it back and forth a bit. I don't know what is in that additive stuff but it is slippery like nothing else.

other option is new bellows

[Guest]

I would replace it. It is a throwaway item protecting your driveshaft.

[Guest]

I used to have a cobra way back when and the only way I could get it back on was to put it in gear and turn the prop while pushing at the same time. Takes two people of course.