Alpha one exhaust tube installation

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New posts. Search forums. Log in. Install the app. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Exhaust flow through Alpha One Sterndrive. A Driver Head , a Collar and a Rod. Installing the drive after the bearing has been installed is MUCH easier if you first align the gimbal bearing with an Engine Alignment Tool.

S ymptoms: Leaking U-joint bellows will cause severe damage if not tended to immediately. It's important to note that once these things are noticed, that some damage has already occurred.

The grumbling noise that so many customers hear is from a rusted gimbal bearing. The noise will get worse as the drive is turned to full left and full right. Sometimes a customer will notice water in the drive lube as well. I nspect the Gimbal Housing Assembly: With the boat hauled, take a good look at the bellows with the drive placed in different positions. Look for barnacle growth, rips and deterioration of the rubber.

The bellows should be clean and firm A complete inspection will require the removal of the outdrive. Place the shifter into forward gear and remove the outdrive.

After the rams and the six mounting nuts are removed, the drive should come off. If the bellows have been leaking, the drive might be stuck. If the drive is stuck, tilt the drive up by hand and let the drive drop back down freely.

The dropping of the drive should free up the driveshaft from the rusted gimbal bearing. If dropping the drive by gravity still won't free the unit, then some downward "slamming" may be required.

Note: Slamming the drive is a "close-to-last-resort" and MAY damage other components. Use common sense and maybe a few flat chisels carefully placed to assist in the drives removal. Be patient and save some money. Some drives will require a bit of nursing to get off and sometimes the gimbal bearing will pull right out with the drive!

Heating with a torch is VERY dangerous and all precautions need to be taken. Also, have a hose and fire extinguisher ready. We have had drives that just won't come off. We call them "junk". A bout Tools: You will need some special and regular tools to do this job. Without the correct tools, replacing the bellows and gimbal bearing is next to impossible.

You will need: 1. Phillips screw driver. Slotted screw drivers large and medium. Dead blow hammer. Shop on-line or contact our parts department at for the parts and tools you need. O nce the drive is removed, a more complete inspection can be done. Look into the drive shaft hole and notice the inner bellows and gimbal bearing.

The bellows should be dry. This means no oil and no water. The bearing center should turn smooth with no looseness or binding. The U-joint assembly should have no rust. Typically, you will find water, milky oil and rust if the bellows have been leaking. If you only find drive oil in the bellows, then you have a bad front drive seal which will have to be fixed. H ow much can you do yourself? It depends on the tools and mechanical experience you have. The transom stuff isn't too bad but if the u-joints are rusted, then you need a Merc tech.

Did I mention we are drive experts? Really though, the drive stuff isn't practical for you to do as experience and expensive tools are required. We can sell you the drive tool set if you would like!

D isassembly Turn the steering to one side and remove the trim sender's two screws. Tie the sender up out of the way. Turn to the other direction and remove the other trim sender. Note: If the trim senders are bad, this will be the chance you have to replace them. You will have to turn the steering one direction and then the other to get them out.

Sometimes the pins are stuck. Really stuck. Some heat may be required to free them up. It may be that you have to actually drill them out! Drilling is tough and the right size cobalt bits will be needed. Don S Honorary Moderator Emeritus.

Joined Aug 31, Messages 62, Re: exhaust tube, or no tube??? The tube is still directing most of the exhust through the outdrive, as it was designed to do. Joined Mar 5, Messages You can use the boat without the bellows. It wont harm anything. You said your bellows keeps coming off; are you not using bellows adhesive when you install it? Joined Oct 8, Messages 1, Happy boating!