MerCruiser Shift Cable Bellows

Mercruiser Alpha One Generation 2 shift cable bellows. For boats, it refers to a flexible gasket that protects some engine parts from water.

Their flexibility allows the drive to trim and turn while under way, but they can dry out and crack due to heat, harsh weather or age. What are shift bellows? It's tricky and requires a few 'slight of hands', but can be done. Just noticed today that my shift cable bellows is torn. Many stern-drives have flexible gaskets, called “bellows,” that seal the water out where the universal joint, shift cable and exhaust run between boat and drive. The inside end of shift cable goes onto the bellows and up towards the engine Bravo cables are easier than Alpha versions. Boats have a bellows around the shift cable, one around the U-joints, and another at the exhaust. When you first hear the term, bellows, you may think of something that moves air and gets a fire going. Mercruiser/Mercury Certified Let the insanity begin. Factory Mercruiser bellows kit shift cable bellows Mercruiser Bravo and Alpha transom assemblies including all gen 1 and gen 2 Alpha and all Bravo 1 2 and 3. For now, let's focus on the exhaust bellows, using the MerCruiser Alpha One as an example. Their primary purpose is protection from moisture and debris while providing flexibility. What are MerCruiser bellows? Sterndrive bellows are rubber “boots” that seal out water around the exhaust, U-joints and shift cable, while allowing the drive to pivot and tilt. Pulled it out and discovered the shift cable bellows was torn in a couple. Please keep in mind that bellows are rubber and deteriorate over time. Checking your bellows should be done annually and replaced when necessary. I discovered my shift cable bellows is torn. We have found that bellows life expectancy is about 6 years. I have changed the bellows without removing the drive. Bellows have many applications both on and off the water from expandable buses to folding cameras. The only connection is the accordion shape of the sides.