OMC Cobra exhaust bellows replacement-gctid349927

[Guest]

I didn't want to hijack the other thread so here is a new one. His post reminded me that I will have to replace mine once it comes out of hibernation. Just wondering how difficult this may be to DIY? Looking at the manual diagram it looks like a worm clamp on one end and a snap ring on the other. I have not read thru the manual yet but I assume some disassembly is required? SO I am looking for some advice as to what I will be getting in to. If i decide to take it to a marine dealer what kind of price range should I expect to spend, and what else may need attention at the same time? Just want to make sure I know what I am budgeting for.

[dktool]

It is easy to change as you said, worm clamp and snap ring, but if you feel you need to because it looks like this :

[img]/media/kunena/attachments/vb/652882=24570-MAL9-72706.jpg[/img]Don't bother because this is what they look like when they are new.

[88fourwinns]

They are not hard to change, but as noted all of them now have the slits on the bottom to reduce back pressure, oh and when you replace that snap ring, wear safety goggles, just in case, it flys off the pliers...

[Guest]

You need to pull the drive. So, if you haven't done the drive bellows in some time, then do that now as well. Check the gimbal bearing to see if it is smooth and free. Same for the drive u-joints. Then verify the lower shift cable adjustment. And, check the engine alignment.

You can do all this yourself with the manual, and a drive cradle is a huge plus - http://www.baylinerownersclub.org/fo...t=drive+cradle . You only need the new bellows, drive gaskets, and engine alignment tool - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercruiser-a...item35ac5619e8 , or 2-piece http://www.ebay.com/itm/Engine-Drive...item564806eda9 .

We can help you through it, and I would guess you will save $200 - $300 or more. I don't really have a good handle on what things cost at the shop since I do all my own work.

[Guest]

Hello

This is a good link: http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/index.html

Do remember that the u-joint bellow has one rib more on one side... this side with the extra rib should be on down side. why? = tilt and trim..

Regards

Torsa

[Guest]

dktool wrote:
It is easy to change as you said, worm clamp and snap ring, but if you feel you need to because it looks like this :

http://baylinerownersclub.org/media/....jpg[/img]Don't bother because this is what they look like when they are new.

Okay, that is good to know. I was worried that when I was winterizing that something had happened and would need to be replaced. There are no other issues and the rubber felt pliable. So now I may not replace it this year. If I were to replace it I probably would replace the other bellows at the same time. I just do not want to mess with something that has run so well for us.