08-29-2007, 04:09 AM
Sounds like your "oil" in there might just be liquified grease from previous bearing grease jobs then.
A hole in the bellows, even a little hole is no good. It will fill up with water (the bellows) and ruin your u-joints and your gimbal bearing. That volvo is an easy one to fix. Leave the outrive on, and just remove the upper housing. Grease the u-joints, grease the gimbal bearing and replace the bellows.
I know that the Mercruisers will weep into the bilge if the bellows is shot, but not sure on the Volvo.
That 280 drive is a really good design. The cone clutch makes it shift smoother than any other outdrive in its era, and it is designed very well. Unfortunately, rubber parts can and do go bad and they need to be changed every so often.
I like to inspect my bellows at the end of each year. Any water in it AT ALL and I replace it.
Somebody mentioned storing it with the drive DOWN. I agree 100%. Not only does it take the strain off the bellows, but it also keeps the shift cable straight instead of bent.
The only thing I don't like about those 280's is the electric tilt system. Seems problematic sometimes.
Hope this helps!
Randy
[signature]
A hole in the bellows, even a little hole is no good. It will fill up with water (the bellows) and ruin your u-joints and your gimbal bearing. That volvo is an easy one to fix. Leave the outrive on, and just remove the upper housing. Grease the u-joints, grease the gimbal bearing and replace the bellows.
I know that the Mercruisers will weep into the bilge if the bellows is shot, but not sure on the Volvo.
That 280 drive is a really good design. The cone clutch makes it shift smoother than any other outdrive in its era, and it is designed very well. Unfortunately, rubber parts can and do go bad and they need to be changed every so often.
I like to inspect my bellows at the end of each year. Any water in it AT ALL and I replace it.
Somebody mentioned storing it with the drive DOWN. I agree 100%. Not only does it take the strain off the bellows, but it also keeps the shift cable straight instead of bent.
The only thing I don't like about those 280's is the electric tilt system. Seems problematic sometimes.
Hope this helps!
Randy
[signature]
I used to N.ot have E.nough T.ime O.ff to go fishing. Then I retired. Now I have less time than I had before. Sheesh.