Bravo III . . . aahhh phooey !!!

[tpenfield]

I am at the 'summer house' doing some maintenance and took a look at the bravo 3's for my boat in the garage . . .



A telltale oil drip on the ventilation plate . . . oh I hate it when that happens

This one is the starboard outdrive. . . and I did replace the oil seals on both outdrives last season. On closer look, it may be the bearing carrier itself rather than the oil seal. A little side story, is that the bearing carriers were heavily corroded when I bought the boat (2 years ago). It had been in Lake Winnipesaukee for its entire 16 year life, but without enough anode protection. When I replaced the oil seals last year, it looked like the bearing carriers did not have much left in them, and I was surprised that I was able to press the oil seals into the carriers without cracking the sidewall.



Anyway, it looks like I should buy a new bearing carrier for both drive, eventhough the port drive looks OK. The bearing carrier comes with the needle bearing AND the oil seal (I believe, correct me if not true). Of course, it is a $400 part, and I'll be getting 2 of them :facepalm:

More pics to come once I start the repair itself.

 

[achris]

-865876A01, complete with 'O' ring, needle bearing and oil seals...

 

[Fun Times]

-865876A01, complete with 'O' ring, needle bearing and oil seals...

+1.:thumb: The carrier comes assembled.

Bear in mind that the threads are left hand so you'll need to turn the carrier clockwise to remove it.

If it seems to be stuck then some heat from an acetylene oxygen torch to heat the carrier thread area might be needed to help remove it.

Good luck.

 

[achris]

I think he had them apart last year, should just unscrew... Right TP?

 

[tpenfield]

Yup, they were apart in the spring. So, they should come apart OK.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Break Out Another Thou.....

 

[tpenfield]

Thanks for the part confirmation, guys. Yes breaking out another $1K . . .

Shopping-wise, I have not found these parts on iBoats . . . only the carriers for the Alpha drives, I think. The best price from a reputable source that I have found is $385 per. So, $770 ~ plus shipping for both outdrives, then probably throw in about $80 in gear lube.

Fortunately, I already have the tools.

 

[Faztbullet]

Ooh Ooh....fleabay!!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercruiser-..._Accessories_Gear&hash=item27f96435f9&vxp=mtr

 

[tpenfield]

Ooh Ooh....fleabay!!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercruiser-..._Accessories_Gear&hash=item27f96435f9&vxp=mtr

Yea I saw that one. Tempted, but I'll need to get a second one elsewhere.

 

[achris]

Yea I saw that one. Tempted, but I'll need to get a second one elsewhere.

Why not just buy that one twice... :lol: :rofl:

 

[Fun Times]

Or get the other one on ebay at $370.05 + 15.00 shipping since that's the second lowest cost on the internet. Or if you can wait a little longer, buy the $290.00 one and wait to see if he lists another one after selling that one.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.TRS0&_nkw=865876A01&_sacat=0

 

[tpenfield]

Yea, the guy selling the one at $370 has been experiencing some buyer satisfaction issues as evidenced by the recent negative feedback on eBay. So, I might just buy the one at $290 and then get the other elsewhere.

EDIT: I also noticed that the guy at $290 is doing an auction rather than buy it now pricing. The auction ends in 3 days, no telling what the final price may end up at . . . I guess I'll have to get my 'BidSniper' software ready.

 

[alldodge]

You going to replace the s[FONT=&quot]mall inner seal (26-8M0033407) on inner prop shaft while your at it, or just stop with the outer carrier?[/FONT]

 

[tpenfield]

You going to replace the s[FONT=&quot]mall inner seal (26-8M0033407) on inner prop shaft while your at it, or just stop with the outer carrier?[/FONT]

IDK . . . I replaced all of the seals last year. So, I am wondering if the inners would be good after a dis-assemble/re-assemble :noidea:

 

[alldodge]

IDK . . . I replaced all of the seals last year. So, I am wondering if the inners would be good after a dis-assemble/re-assemble :noidea:

Your inner should not be an issue so long as your not leaking now. Put a dial indicator on the shaft and check before removing the carrier

 

[tpenfield]

Your inner should not be an issue so long as your not leaking now. Put a dial indicator on the shaft and check before removing the carrier

Not sure I follow . . . 'dial indicator' :noidea:

 

[alldodge]

Not sure I follow . . . 'dial indicator' :noidea:

Need to check backlash and end play






This will let you know how well your gears and bearings are without pulling it apart.

 

[alldodge]

Forgot the first page. Need to clamp down the input shaft with some flat stock

 

[tpenfield]

Oh, OK . . . I was thinking only the gear lash and not the end-play

Thanks.

 

[tpenfield]

UPDATE:

I ordered 2 bearing carrier assemblies for the 2 outdrives. $385 each . . .

I am wondering if I will have to fiddle with the shims at all, or just go with what is there. :noidea: IIRC there is a total of 0.048" in shims . . . one of the outdrives might be slightly less.