Recommendations for extending the life of rubber bellows

[Canopy Locked]

Just had my outdrive serviced yesterday (Volvo leg). According to the manual, the maintenance schedule says to change the UJ bellows every year. Kind of an expensive job /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif - The engineer said that the bellows were in good nick and checked for water inside (none). They are 3 years old.

Am thinking that I might change them at 4 years (precautionary) but aside from trying to keep them clean and free of barnacles has anyone experimented with ways of keeping the rubber in good condition?

Thanks
rob

 

[alt]

Yeah, leave the leg trimmed down and not turned/left right when not in use - This will put less stress on the bellows (ie. they'll be resting in their natural position)

I could be talking sh1te but think about it, it makes sense!

 

[oldsaltoz]

If you find out what type of rubber they are made of I'm sure there will be product out there.

Latex based or Butyl rubber would be a start, but are many more types.

What preserves one type may destroy another.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[neale]

I change mine every 2 years because I keep the leg fully trimmed up on a drying berth. Every year seems a bit overkill, but as expensive as it is, it is cheap compared to what would happen if they were to fail.

If I kept my leg trimmed fully down I may be happy to go 3 years with a careful check each year when the boat is brought out. I am not sure I would stretch to 4 years as I would prefer to pay the money for new bellows, (I fit myself so no labour charges), and have peace of mind rather than worry every time I go out that my bellows are four years old.

 

[lw395]

Main thing is probably to keep the sun's UV off it.

 

[William_H]

We have a product in Oz called Armourall. It is a spray on preservative or pollish very good for car dash boards that get damaged by UV. I understand it is good for rubber as a protective or preservative.
It comes from motor spares shops. It may be an international brand or there may be something similar available. olewill

 

[whisper]

"I change mine.........drying berth"
We do likewise for the same reason. Don't fancy a leak with a single outdrive set-up.
Anyone know what, if anything, can be used to antifoul the bellows?