Bravo shift cable bellows change.
 

Boat sinking, have a hole in shift bellows on a 1997 Bravo. In general what is the method for changing these bellows? Can the cable be removed from the helmet end or do you have to pull it thru from the engine side? Thanks.

Yes, you can remove the center of the cable and pull it out then disconnect the outer jacket.
There is some steps which need to look thru.
Do you have manual 11?

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I've done quite a few of them. You can replace the shift cable bellows without removing the engine side. The new one is pliable enough to stretch it over the threaded cable end. I use a little bit of grease to ease stretching & sliding it over the end.

Do you need to remove the core cable doing it this way?

I never have unless I'm actually replacing the cable. With the drive removed, remove the retaining nut on the cable. Pull the cable backwards out of the bell housing. Careful, it may be corroded in. Remove the old clamps, I usually slice the boot with a razor blade to remove it. Slide the new one on, be sure to apply a little lube to the cable threaded end first. I use a couple of small screwdrivers to work the small end over the cable end. Put the clamps on & you're ready to reassemble. Hope this helps.

Thanks.

Can you get the new bellows over that 5/8" brass nut? Seems big to stretch over that.

Yep. Just lube it up & slowly work it over it. It will stretch & be just fine.

Might be able to, I never tried its just to easy to pull the cable and reinstall

Its easiest to be replacing the cable so you can use a piece of the old threaded rod. Without replacing cable just need something to screw into the cable so it can feed a string thru from engine. The string is used to pull the outer jacket back thru.

Attach string, pull jacket thru, replace boot pull jacket back thru with string


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...33584b9bb5.jpg

just did both mine,
unhook the cable inside the engine compartment,remove the plastic guide from the end of the cable and the brass barrel/houshing assembly,reach down and remove the spiral protective housing ,tie a string to the end of the cable,now turn the wheel all the way to the left and trim drive up,
now go outside and use a 5/16 swivel socket on a 1/4 extension and loosen the shift bellows clamp, slowly pull cable out but be careful not to kink the cable,once out replace the bellows ,
now go inside the boat and pull the string so you can pull cable back in,(have a friend on the outside to help guide the cable),put shifter linkage together,tighten bellows clamp ,go boating,

took me about 1 1/2 to do both

So having issues.. How do I get the part of the cable that passes thru the bravo helmet out of there? I removed the nut and nothing moves. Looks like a brass part that passes thru a hole in the transom helmet. Wont come out even with a little persuasion. The drive end. Thanks

Using the pic in post 8
You have removed the center cable, and removed the barrel and tube so is just the brass end, correct?

This is where the string is attached and its pulled out the back of the boat

The drive end brass fitting is stuck in the transom assembly. Removed bolt and no luck, Heat is about all I can think of.

Its most likely corroded in. The cable housing corrodes & expands, seizing it in place. You will most likely have to replace the shift cable assembly now unless you can work it free. At this point, I just pull the inner cable out or just cut it off. Take a tapered punch & with plenty of lubrication, drive it backwards out of the housing. You'll need to then install a complete cable assy. Make sure you clean the hole in the bell really good to allow the new cable housing to slide into place without any force. I always use a bit of never seize on the new cable brass for ease of future disassembly.

Well finally had to drill it out, not too bad. Drilled about 3/4 of it then it punched out. Hollow center makes a good pilot hole. Very corroded. So new cable on order. Unhooked motor end, removed covering, all came right out easily.

After changing Ujoint bellow, shift bellows, shift cable, gimbal bearing, ujoints I should be done. My other boat after 20 seasons I just changed the entire transom assembly which is a much easier and more complete job which I would recommend. You just have to be able to do it yourself and have an engine that is fairly easy to remove(like a Donzi classic). Thanks for the help.