Bellows

[speedysprocket]

How long do you guys expect oem bravo bellows to last? Mine have two years on them. Put drives on the other day and launched boat today. Seems at least one is seeping water onto the top of the exhaust outlet. Should I get a new drive bellow already and just replace it? I have a feeling it’s where the drive butts up against the bellow. I greased all that well. Does anyone ever put a sealant on there instead for older bellows?

[donald]

Hi speedy
Not that familure with Bravo drives but if the boat is o a trailer I would pull the drive to see if any water is in the bellows. It sounds as if you may have a crack in there somewhere. Don't want water in the gimble bearing and ujoints.
Good luck.
Don

[jparsons121]

Originally Posted by speedysprocket

How long do you guys expect oem bravo bellows to last? Mine have two years on them. Put drives on the other day and launched boat today. Seems at least one is seeping water onto the top of the exhaust outlet. Should I get a new drive bellow already and just replace it? I have a feeling it’s where the drive butts up against the bellow. I greased all that well. Does anyone ever put a sealant on there instead for older bellows?

It really depends on conditions how long they last. I've had 5 yrs on one set, but replaced them 2 yrs later after the boat sat on the hard for a few months and they looked brittle.

Ive always used bellows adhesive on the driveshaft and exhaust bellows. Not so much as a sealant, but to be sure they set properly while I clamp them down.

I'd be leery of grease on any of those connections. The castings are usually tapered a bit and you really want the bellows to stay put. That's a big hole below the waterline if one fails or slips off. (Referring to driveshaft bellows)

[speedysprocket]

Originally Posted by jparsons121

It really depends on conditions how long they last. I've had 5 yrs on one set, but replaced them 2 yrs later after the boat sat on the hard for a few months and they looked brittle.



Ive always used bellows adhesive on the driveshaft and exhaust bellows. Not so much as a sealant, but to be sure they set properly while I clamp them down.



I'd be leery of grease on any of those connections. The castings are usually tapered a bit and you really want the bellows to stay put. That's a big hole below the waterline if one fails or slips off. (Referring to driveshaft bellows)

I used bellow adhesive where the bellow seats inside the bell housing and gimbal housing. I’m talking about grease or sealant on the drive before you slide it on.

[mmwjr]

5 years is a good maintenance but I have see folks go 10 years. Look for cracks in between the folds. Yes bellows adhesive to attach the bellows. I also use grease on the driveshaft splines and outdrive housing collar that slips into the bellhousing.

[shrew]

5 years is where I feel comfortable. Are you sure it's the bellows?

What model Bravo? (e.g. Bravo II, Bravo III?)
What year is the boat?

Bravo III's have known issues with the transom assembly. Bellows don't normally leak after 2 years unless someone puts a screwdriver or putty knife through trying to scrape barnacles off.

[speedysprocket]

Bravo IIs, 1994 3200 but I rebuilt everything two years ago.


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[speedysprocket]