VP DP290 bellows

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bubblehead

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After a bit of tech from the experts / those that can advise please.
Just fitted bellows yesterday to my DP290 but subsequently realised that I didn’t check the orientation, ie ‘top’ at top.
Annoyingly I used sealant as well so if it needs to come off will need to remove leg again in order to remove all sealant / clean surfaces prior to starting again.

My question is, if it isn’t in the correct orientation (will be checking tomorrow), does it matter, does it need to be changed?

Thanks in advance
 
Don't know about the 290 but my 270 ... has two bellows ...

The Exhaust one has a TOP and bottom ... and is fitted without removing leg. reason for TOP is that there is a small hole set in the bottom to allow the bellows to drain ...
The Drive shaft bellows has no top / bottom - but does have a front - rear orientation due to diameters. That needs drive / leg disconnected to fit.
 
You need to check this out to confirm but I seem to remember that there is a spiral wire former in the convoluted section of the drive bellows that needs orientation.
 
bubblehead said:
My question is, if it isn’t in the correct orientation (will be checking tomorrow), does it matter, does it need to be changed?
Click to expand...
Yes it does seem to be important . Take a look at the removed bellows and you will see for yourself.
 
simonfraser said:
even a small amount of water ingress will corrode your UJ gear, worth doing properly
Click to expand...

Just wondering where the water would get into the 'drive bellows' ... once fitted - its effectively a sealed tube.

Its only the exhaust bellows that has water in.

I assume that the 90 drive OP has - the drive bellows is similar to mine where the two ends are different diameter ?? So difficult to get wrong. As to the wire wound part - both bellows if I recall have this .. its there to maintain roundness when drive tilted ..
 
simonfraser said:
obviously can not be fitted back to front

poster is asking upside down, that is the Q does it matter, if it leaks ...
Click to expand...

I have to check out if any differences to my 70 ... but if not - then the drive bellows has no TOP or BOTTOM .. its only the Exhaust bellows that has due to the small drain hole to let out water when boat not used.

EDIT : See next post - it does have TOP !!
 
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Take a good look at the bellows and it's clear the design is asymmetical and is intended to be fitted with part marked "top" at the top. This is clear from the instructions which come with the bellows kit. I would have thought not obeying the instructoons risks the bellows popping off or could risk the UJ coming into contact with the bellows depending on the trim position of the leg.
 
bubblehead said:
How so?

Separately, Having looked more in depth it is actually fitted correctly orientated so nothing to worry about luckily.
Click to expand...
Speaking from experience....
If you get the cheaper bellows from Amazon or wherever, you are getting cheaper jubilee clips. The bellows themselves seem fine and I have used them a few times now but just use good quality stainless clips.
The cheap clips will rust at the threaded part, expand, go loose and let water in. Within 2 weeks! I caught mine quick so only light rust to the UJ. Trouble is, it goes the other way into the bellhousing. It'll seize the starter motor and rust up the driveshaft bearing. If the drive shaft bearing is not replaced and breaks up in the housing, depending on your engine layout, you are into getting the engine out to take the bellhousing to an engineer to insert a steel sleeve into the bellhousing shaft, as the steel bearing will wear the ally shaft, make the drive shaft get a wobble on that will in turn knacker the phosphorus bronze bushing in the flywheel. You'll get a vibration to begin with.....
Every time I change the bellows, I change the drive shaft bearing. It's an oil seal, two circlips and a pot of grease plus a bearing.
My bellows leaking didn't result in the above but I did have a bearing break up. If the bellows leak the bearing will rust.

Hope yours is all good, Doing mine this weekend
 
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