Time to replace all seals. Is it possible to replace the shift cable bellow without removing/replacing the shift cable? Cables are fine but strapped down every 10 inches inside the boat which would make replacement difficult without pulling motors. Has anybody had success with replacing the bellow w/out removing the shift cable?

when I did mine it came as a kit cable/boot....guess you could, pull the drive, and it's tight working...

I doubt you would get it over the bell housing end without tearing it

If I remember right you can't get the boot off that end of the shift cable because it has the nut part that bolts the cable assembly to the bell housing. The cable installs from the outside to inside the boat. If you disconnect it on the inside and tie a pull string to it. Pull it out from behind the boat and hook the new cable on to your pull string, and then pull the new cable back into the boat. Had to do one in LOTO a couple of years ago due to a broken shift cable in the drive side.

The cable to the drive is only about 3 feet long from the shift mechanism to the drive. Pull it loose from the shifter mechanism (at the transom or mounted to the engine) and remove the plastic piece on the end. Now on the outside with the drive removed you pull the center cable out of the housing. Go back up in the boat and put the center cable in backwards (the little ball is now at the shift mechanism). After that is done pull the outside housing from the boat, holding the center in place in the boat. Put the bellows on the new cable housing (or old one of you re-use it) and then push the outside housing back up through the transom using the center cable as a guide. Once the outer housing is back up by the shift mechanism you pull the center out of it and re-install it the proper way and hook everything back up. It is about a 15 minute job with the drive off. 2 beers tops, actually get 4 cause you'll need a helper

+1 Ted G. This is clearly not your first rodeo. Great expaination.

Point #1 the cable end on the inside goes in first. So the cable needs to come all the way out. You might get by leaving the cable in place on the bellhousing, but it's a pain.
Point # 2 All those zip ties holding the cable down are a no no. The shift cable needs to free float.
Mac.

+1 TedG,

Thanks guys! I like using the cable as a guide, great idea> I'll let you know how it works out.

I have changed many a shift bellows without removing the cable. Just use a little vasoline or grease on the small end of the bellow while working it over the hex ferrule on the cable end. Never had a problem doing it this way.