Most exhaust bellows have water drain slits or holes in them, to allow water to drain. The original ones on the OMC Cobras did not but they were added in later production. What you can do to check your d-shaft bellows is this, tilt the drive up all the way and get a bright LED flashlight. Look in the folds of the bellows, and turn the drive side to side to really get a good look at it. If you see small cracks forming in between the folds then yes it makes sense to replace it. Also, when they pull the drive, if the gimble bearing turns smoothly (you just put your fingers inside and turn it, should be very smooth), and you have not gotten any noise from it, then there is no reason to replace it. I pull the drive each season and check all these things. My exhaust bellows was getting really old and the d/shaft bellows was starting to get small cracks. Replaced both but left the gimble in there because it was new in '05 and has been greased every year and never had water in there. The best thing you can do for your I/O longevity is the yearly drive pull, inspection & maintenance. It really helps to avoid expensive problems and when you learn what to look for, you can also avoid paying for un necessary work.
_________________ 88 Four Winns 200 Horizon 4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl 2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5 2008 Walker Bay 8
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II
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