Bravo 1 shift boot replacement HELP!!!

cableguy1979

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 25, 2017
Messages
121
Now I have done this on Alpha's so many times I can do it in my sleep. However I believe the Bravo's are a different beast. I have looked everywhere for a shift cable replacement from a bravo but not a lot of luck. I believe it just needs a boot (because it leaks) but figure for the price of a cable I might just go ahead and replace it. Can someone help me with the details on how this works or a procedure? A video will be great...don't know if the Bravo 2 or 3 works the same way but whatever works works.
 

cableguy1979

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 25, 2017
Messages
121
I guess I should have been clear. I don't know how to replace it on a bravo....but I finally found this....


Note: You can leave the shifter in nuetral. Never shift a Bravo unless the engine is running.

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Remove both trim cylinders from the drive and let them hang out of the way.

Note: Bravo Drives are heavy. Have a friend assist you in removing the drive. You can injure yourself if the drive gets too heavy to handle. Be ready to support the drives weight when it comes loose from the bellhousing.

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Remove the six retainer nuts and remove the drive. Use care to pull the drive staright off to reduce the possibilty of damaging the shift mechanism/link rod assembly. Some drive lube might leak out of the lube connection fitting.

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Set the drive down and out of the way. Inspect the drives ujoint shaft assembly for wear and/or rust. Inspect the shift pocket area where the shift link rod assembly sits. If you see evidence of water intrustion you will have to service the drive.

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Hop up inside the boat and disconnect the drive shift cable from the shift plate assembly. Remove the two little square set screws and slide the plastic end-tube off of the cable core. Hold the sheath of the cable with a pair of pliers and use a 7/16" wrench to loosen the cable lock nut. Unthread and remove the stainless cable tube.

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Note: This next step is important. You must remove the protective spiral wrap from the cable. Failure to remove this sprial wrap will lead to complete misery. If you attempt to pull out the old cable without first removing the spiral wrap the cable will jam and be stuck in the gimbal housing. Removal of a jammed cable often requires removal of the engine.

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Place your hand on the black plastic sheathing of the cable. Slide your hand down the length of the cable all the way down behind the engine and down low in the bilge. Eventually your hand will hit a section of spiral wrap. This spiral wrap is placed on the cable to protect the sheathing from being melted by the engine's hot exhaust pipe. Remove the spriral wrap. Lay the cable in a relaxed position in the bilge as so it is easier to pull out from behind the boat without it getting snagged on anything.

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Climb out of the boat and tilt up the bellhousing to access the shift cable bellow. Remove the clamp on the small end. If your Cable Kit includes a new Cable Bellows, remove the large clamp as well.

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Grab the core of the cable and rip it right out.

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Hold the front cable-sheath-nut with an open end wrench while removing the cable retainer flange nut.

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Tilt up the Bellhousing and pull the cable forward and out of the bellhousing hole. Grab the cable and pull the entire length of the cable out of the transom. Discarb the old cable and old core.

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If you are replacing the Cable Bellows, remove the old bellows and clean up the area where the bellows seats as so the Bellows Adheasive (92-86166Q1) will seal properly when you install the new bellows.

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Unpack the new cable and make sure everything is there. If the factory has shipped the cable with the core slid inside the sheathing, remove it.

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If installing new Cable Bellows, coat the inside of the large end of the bellow with Bellows Adheasive and also coat the area where the bellows will seat on the transom. Push the bellows into place making sure that they are fully seated into place. Gently snug up the large clamp. Take a tube of grease and squirt a little grease into the small end of the bellows to aid in the insertion of the cable.

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Smear a little grease on the forward end of the new cable and push the end of the cable into the bellows and into the boat. This is difficult to do. The small hole in the bellow is tight and it's difficult to get the end of the cable through the small hole. Keep at it! You will get it eventually.

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Push the cable into the boat until it stops. It will go in about 6 to 8 inches before it stops. It will hit the back of the engine's flywheel housing. Getting the rest of the cable to slide into the boat is tricky. The cable must be "nudged" to one side to pass the flywheel housing. This is made easier if you have a long long screw driver and a friend to help. Hop up inside the boat with your long long screw driver. Have your friend "tap" the cable in and out against the flywheel housing so you can follow the sound and locate the cable easier. Take the long long screw driver and push the cable off to the starboard side of the flywheel housing. You might have to have your friend pull the cable out a little first. Then, when your sure the end of the cable is far enough off to the starboard side, have your friend push. He should be able to push the cable all the way in as you watch that the cable doesn't snag or loop in the bilge. Lay the cable loose in the bilge for now.

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Outside the boat, coat the brass section of the shift cable with Perfect Seal. Slip the end of the cable through the hole in the bellhousing. Fit a new gasket seal into place and thread the flange nut onto the end of the cable. Torque the flange nut to 65 INCH pounds.

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Turn the bellhousing to the port side and lift the bellhousing up so you can install the small clamp on the small end of the shift cable bellow.

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Hop up inside the boat and route the cable sheath up to the shift plate assembly neatly as so it is not bend, kinked or twisted.

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Outside the boat, slip the new cable core into the sheath as so it only protrudes about 2".

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Install the Core Wire Location Tool ( 91-17263 ) onto the back of the bellhousing.(see image below). Make sure the bead on the end of the cable sits tightly against the tool.

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Inside the boat, install the stainless threaded tube all the way into the end of the cable sheath and then back it out one revolution. Lock the brass locknut down against the sheath. Install the black plastic guide tube with its anchor and two square set screws. Snug up the square set screws.

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Place the end of the cable assembly onto the Shift Cable Anchor Adjustment Tool ( 91-17262 ) adjusting the barrel nut to fit exactly into the tool.

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Now remove both tools and install the cable onto the shift plate assembly.

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Glue the new drive mounting orings and seals into place.

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Install the drive while using care not to damage or bend the cables core. Make sure the "clapper" or "duck-bill" in the drive opens and accepts the bead on the end of the cables core. Push the drive up into position and tighten all the nuts.

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Finish installing your trim cylinders and mounting hardware.

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Hop in the boat and make sure you have both shift cables properly attached. Start the engine on the hose flushette and test the shift. DANGER. Make sure the prop is clear and that no people are near the prop.
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,548
This is very important. If not removed you will damage the plastic insert in the gimbal housing

Note: This next step is important. You must remove the protective spiral wrap from the cable. Failure to remove this sprial wrap will lead to complete misery. If you attempt to pull out the old cable without first removing the spiral wrap the cable will jam and be stuck in the gimbal housing. Removal of a jammed cable often requires removal of the engine.

Also attach a string to the outer cable. Doing this makes it so much easier bring in the new cable. It is best to cut a piece off the old threaded rod (maybe 1/2 inch), then put string thru the piece cut. Now tie a Knot on the string, then screw this piece in the old cable and remove from outside the boat.

Remove the piece and screw into the new cable and use string to pull new cable back in the boat
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,548
If you get a newer style cable then the adjusting will not be needed because the barrel will be peened in the correct spot. The new cable will be installed thru the bell housing, but will need to tap the threads thru, no nut is needed on the outside
 

cableguy1979

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 25, 2017
Messages
121
Good to know....i will replace it.... yeah that spiral wrap got me in trouble one time....
Haven't made that mistake but once.
 
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