Bellows Replacement - do I need this other stuff too?

[GJarrett]

Alpha 1 gen 2. I'm paying a local shop to replace my cracked exhaust bellows so they are also doing the gimbal bearing at the same time. I was quoted $250 parts for a "transom repair kit" which I was originally told had all the parts, and 5 hours labor at $119/hr. That totaled $845+tax etc which I thought was fair and was under other quotes, so I gave them the job.

Now that they have the boat I just got the work order and was told the bellows exhaust housing tube was not part of the kit (+$68), they added in a shift cable assembly for another $83, and an extra hour labor at $119 to give it a lake test after the job is done. With gear lube, shop supplies, and tax the $845 bill is now over $1200.

I have two main questions. Why would I need a new shift cable? And why would it need a lake test; can't they check their own work without taking it for a run at a local lake?

 

[Tonka Boater]

I can't answer the shift cable question but I would rather have them lake test it rather trust their own work only to have you find a problem once it's in the water. It's frustrating when they give you a quote for the bare minimum requirements but neglect to tell you up front about all of the misc stuff.

 

[BillK2632]

That all sounds reasonable. The reason for replacing the shift cable is that it has to come out to replace the shift cable bellows and if you are replacing the bellows the cable has probably gotten wet or is at least as old as the bellows, so no point in re-installing an old / worn cable. The exhaust tube is not part of the transom kits, they have the exhaust bellows. I found that out when I did my bellows last year (did it myself) and wanted to go with the exhaust tube instead of bellows, also I was not replacing my gimbal bearing so I just parted things out. I checked several shops around Lake Norman for this job last year, 1000 - 1500. I think $1200 is reasonable, I did it myself for about $250 in parts and a couple of tools - it took me two Saturdays and some busted knuckles and a sore back. I see your boat is a 1999, if this is the first time the bellows has been replaced - it's possible, I did mine for the first time last year - then have the whole thing done (all three bellows, shift cable and gimbal bearing) is probably a good idea.

 

[Bt Doctur]

the kit they quoted most likely had the bellows exaust and not the exaust tube.as far as the shift cable goes, they should have told you what they found suspicious .and thats why they replaced it. i have had working but old shift cable break right at the point it screws into the housing from moving the gimbal housing off.
A on-water test is the most beneficial way to give the boat a clean bill of health.Most customers tell or dont tell the mechanic all their little dirty secrets

 

[GJarrett]

Thanks for the input. I guess it sounds reasonable then; I just didn't want to get taken advantage of. I do wish they had explained more at the first.

 

[Madifonzo]

I am doing all bellows too. In order to do them you have to remove the shift cable from the bell housing. Well, they were seized in place so they had to be cut. Enter new shift cables.

 

[dpmulvey]

IMHO, the job was poorly presented. Here is what you need done. Here, based on experience, is what may need to be done. We will keep you informed as to the pros and cons of each decision. The decision is yours.

My my water pump gets changed on my montero every time the timing belt gets changed. Why? It's exposed, a few bolts and less than $200 to do it then. If the water pump goes bad in the interim, all the belt work has to be redone.

My my two cents.