New Bellows

[SeaRayPilot]

I have a 1985 Sundancer with an Alpha 1 Gen 1 stern drive.

Today I got a quote of $2400 to replace the three bellows. Also recommend and included in the prices was a new gimbal bearing and shift cable. This was OEM parts.

This seems a bit excessive. Another shop nearby just won’t work on a boat that old.

Any thoughts on this pricing? I’m in sticker shock.

kevin

 

[Golfman25]

I have a 1985 Sundancer with an Alpha 1 Gen 1 stern drive.

Today I got a quote of $2400 to replace the three bellows. Also recommend and included in the prices was a new gimbal bearing and shift cable. This was OEM parts.

This seems a bit excessive. Another shop nearby just won’t work on a boat that old.

Any thoughts on this pricing? I’m in sticker shock.

kevin

I think you answered your own question -- other shops won't even touch your boat.

But $2400 for 3 bellows, a bearing, and cable doesn't sound that bad. What $300-$500 for parts. 8-10 hrs of labor. Not sure where you are located, but my shop is charging $189/hr these days.

 

[techmitch]

I have a 1985 Sundancer with an Alpha 1 Gen 1 stern drive.

Today I got a quote of $2400 to replace the three bellows. Also recommend and included in the prices was a new gimbal bearing and shift cable. This was OEM parts.

This seems a bit excessive. Another shop nearby just won’t work on a boat that old.

Any thoughts on this pricing? I’m in sticker shock.

kevin

Sounds a bit high for just about anywhere. You should update your profile with you location. It will help with questions for anything boats.

 

[SeaRayPilot]

Sounds a bit high for just about anywhere. You should update your profile with you location. It will help with questions for anything boats.

Profile updated.Thanks for the suggestion. I live in Indianapolis.

 

[jmcdboater]

We’re in CA and had both bellows replaced last spring on our 1988 300DA. Definitely want to do the gimbal bearings and shift cables since they are (relatively) inexpensive and vessel must be yanked to replace them, obviously adding cost. We paid a similar amount,working from memory here, and I’m old , for that work, plus labor to replace a housing, not sure what it’s called, see pix…Someone please help me name it…

 

[Nater Potater]

We’re in CA and had both bellows replaced last spring on our 1988 300DA. Definitely want to do the gimbal bearings and shift cables since they are (relatively) inexpensive and vessel must be yanked to replace them, obviously adding cost. We paid a similar amount,working from memory here, and I’m old , for that work, plus labor to replace a housing, not sure what it’s called, see pix…Someone please help me name it…View attachment 144225View attachment 144226

Bellhousing.

 

[jmcdboater]

Wow, @Nater Potater, that seemed ridiculously easy, thanks much.
Obviously previous owners had NOT kept up on replacing the sacrificial anodes!!

 

[Fill Ess]

Sticker shock goes away after a while

For comparison, I was busy end of a season and didn't have time to do the Bravo III drives. So I had them done at a certified Merc dealer. It was about $3,000 just to pull both drives and inspect bellows, u-joints, gimbal bearings etc. I asked them to replace the lower shift cables while in there, and the service manager asked "what's a lower shift cable?" Nothing was replaced, and a few months later, gimbal bearings and u-joints were gone on both sides. File this under "if you want something done right, do it yourself."

From what I've seen/heard from neighbors, they are refusing most jobs on older I/Os now and focusing on outboards.

Your quote is decent if they know what they're doing!

 

[Nater Potater]

Sticker shock goes away after a while

I wouldn't say it ever goes completely away, but you soon find yourself becoming very jaded.

From what I've seen/heard from neighbors, they are refusing most jobs on older I/Os now and focusing on outboards.

The shop I was hoping to to work at part-time in my retirement years was also to be my parts house for my boat. They've also turned their backs on I/O's. 'Seems odd, as they're perched between the two big lakes in north Idaho that are filled with cruisers.