Changing the shift belows on a mercruiser Alpha one. I was warned about shift cable wrapping that it should be removed

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Customer: Changing the shift belows on a mercruiser Alpha one. I was warned about shift cable wrapping that it should be removed prior to taking shift cable housing from inside of back of boat. Is the cable wrapping reusable? the cable is in good shape just the bellows needs replacing.
Answered by briggs archer in 5 mins 12 years ago
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briggs archer
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Specialities include: Marine mechanic, Diesel Engine Repairs, Boat Body Repairs, Boat and Watercraft Repairs

If the wrapping is not stretched or kinked too badly. It is used only to protect the cable from getting melted if it lays against the exhaust 'Y' pipe.
Customer

I first remove the wrapping, then pull the cable out from the rear, then remove the shifter, and use the special tool for the lug nut on the shifter cable and pull that out correct?

Almost! If you are going to pull the cable out without removing the bell housing you'll have to be very careful not to kink the cable. There is a cable housing and cable core. After disconnecting the cable from inside boat remove the stainless sleeve and nut.Leave the core inside the housing and then carefully pull the cable out from rear while holding the bell housing up.It is not necessary to remove the cable from the bell housing with the special tool. Trick...install the shift bellows on the cable first and use something slippery to help. When you push the cable back into the boat it may hit the flywheel housing and will have to be guided.
Customer

Pages on the internet say it necessary to use a thin 9/16" to get the housing out from rear? do you find this necessary? Also, I will accept these answers-I really am impressed with your answers. I paid for the 1 month unlimited questions so i'm not sure if I get you each time or how it works.

you dont need to remove the outer cable housing from the bell housing if you are just changing the shift cable bellows. that would be the only reason to use the thin wall deep socket.
Customer
how would I get boot around outer cable housing without pulling it out?
you cant do it without damaging the bellow. i fired a mechanic for trying to push the bellow over the cable without removing it.
Customer

I'm glad you did. but I think we may be talking about two separate special tools. The special tool I'm talking about is the one that loosens shift cable near shifter. i loosen that with special 9/16th skinny socket so i can pull cable then cable housing correct? I loosen the cable then pull it back through the bellows being careful not to damage cable. Then put some adhesive on big part of bellow and then clip, use soap to lube bellow and run cable and outer housing back through, tighten clip on big side then add clip on other side.

remove the cable completely from the boat. slide the cable threw the drives bell housing then slide the bellow over the cable ( engine end of the cable) feed the cable thew the transom attached the bellow with bellow adhesive on the large end tighten the clamp then go ahead an put the squeeze clamp on the small end and put all your cable hardware back on at the engine side, bolt the outdrive back on make sure it is in forward gear when the drive is removed and installed.
Customer
I'm trying to accept your answer and give you positive feedback but it says I need to pay another $28. I thought I paid the $28 then got offered thefree month trial for unlimited questions? Can you connect me to customer support?
you accepted with the first expert that was trying to help you i didnt get any credit for it,shane
Customer

I guess I'm not really sure how this system works. I was undeer the impression I paid for the unlimited quesitons for the first month. I appreciate all answers I have received adn I want to make sure everyone including you get credit for the answers but I don't want to be charged again. could you forward this email ot yoru supervisor so you can get credit and I not get billed twice?

i think you have to go to the help section to get this all cleared up.
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