U-Joint Bellows. Alpa 1. Odd Rub Marks?

[BonBini]

U-Joint bellows started leaking on me this weekend. Pulled it down this afternoon and found what looks like the water line rubbed a hole through it.

The bellows has some rubbing at the 9:00 and 7:00 positions. I'm thinking from trimmed down and trimmed up running. I put in a new water line and shift cable on last year! Seemed like the line pretty much could only go on one way.

This being the only failed U-Joint bellows I've ever seen, I'm wondering if this is normal wear or some clearance issue. The Bellows itself looks to be in good shape, rubber very soft and flexible with no cracking. Just these two sets of interference witness marks.

Any comments or advise appreciated

 

[BonBini]

Update:

After getting a new Mercruiser U-Joint Bellows in hand, the new one is physically smaller than the old one by a good 3/4 inch. The new Bellows also feels stiffer. Performing a few mock assemblies, the old bellows is more flexible and makes physical contact with the Gimbal ring while hard over to port/starboard.

I feel confident with this repair but, the boat being fairly new to me: I really don't know why the old bellows developed as it did. Perhaps from improper storage of drive position? Perhaps some chemical cleaner softened the rubber? Perhaps an aftermarket part with poor fit characteristics? I duno. Anyways that’s the deal with "the odd rub marks"

 

[Fun Times]

Perhaps an aftermarket part with poor fit characteristics?

That would be my guess.

It always seems like anything aftermarket "rubber wise" never wants to work correctly for one reason or another.

Glad you got it figured out though, And thanks for the update.:thumbsup:

 

[BonBini]

Thanks Boat Tech. I'm sure you've seen a ton more of these than I have and I truly appreciate your input.

My boating buds have told me to get Merc parts, they seem to be built better. So far every thing I've bought for this and my old boat that seems to be true.