bravo 3 drive with side to side movement

[Stolidog]

I have a 2001 formula 280ss with twin MerCruiser 6.2 and Bravo 3 drives. The boat spends its summers on a buoy in Lake Tahoe and I now have a lot of side to side movement in the drives when I move them when the boat is on the trailer. The steering is still solid when the boat is underway. Thanks in advance, Jeff

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: bravo 3 drive with side to side movement

You haven't loosened, cleaned, spray lubed, and retorqued that u-bolt that sticks out of the top of the transom plate in the back, have you? That is routine maintenance, that should be done yearly, in my opinion. If you are lucky, you can still do that and the slop will disappear. If you let it go for too long, you are looking at removing both engines to replace the worn out parts. You might get lucky with the "drill out the shield and tighten the nut that way" repair, but maybe not. Best of luck to you!

 

[burp]

Re: bravo 3 drive with side to side movement

Sounds like a loose/worn steering arm to gimbal ring connection. The steering arm clamping nut torque should be checked at least every 100 hours and retorqued to 50 ft/lbs. If it's worn, the gimbal ring will need reworked or replaced.

 

[45Auto]

Re: bravo 3 drive with side to side movement

Take a look at this thread:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=249776

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: bravo 3 drive with side to side movement

Excellent link 45, with a good picture and everything. With as easy as that u-bolt is to get to, I wonder why so many people neglect it?
BTW, my 11 year old 800hr B3 drive gets that retorqued every year and it is as tight as a brand new drive. Maintenance is the key, folks!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: bravo 3 drive with side to side movement

Maintenance is the key, folks!

How right you are!

I looked mine over VERY CLOSELY before I installed the transom/gimbal.

If it is loose from those bolts not being tightened or kept tight, it may be too late to just tighten them......you may have to pull it apart and fix it.


Regards,


Rick

 

[Stolidog]

Re: bravo 3 drive with side to side movement

Thanks guys for the reply, just got off the phone with Ron at JR marine and he is sending two of his kits out to me. Lesson learned?guess I will become an expert with the gimbal ring

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: bravo 3 drive with side to side movement

We all find out some things the hard way! (I bought a boat with a 460 OMC King Cobra inside!!!)

When you do the job, help us all out by taking a few pictures and posting how it all goes together

Cheers,

Rick

 

[45Auto]

Re: bravo 3 drive with side to side movement

Ron was great to deal with last year when I did mine. Nice to be able to get the head guy direct on his cell phone! Take your time and do it right, it'll be better than new.