Bravo 3 Bearing Carrier questions

[boatingedge]

I just purchased a new to me Bravo 3 drive. Overall it seems to be in pretty good shape, however there are two small chips on the edge of the bearing carrier. I believe there may have been an impact which caused the chips. Does the carrier look like it will still be ok with these chips. Do I have to worry about the carrier corroding since it is chipped?

Also, the drive is stuck in forward. I tried turning the props while pulling on the shifter however i can't get it out of gear. How fast do you have to spin the props to "bump" the gear back in neutral? I am hoping the gears aren't fused from the impact...
Thanks

 

[dubs283]

Re: Bravo 3 Bearing Carrier questions

i wouldn't be too concerned about the "chips" if that is what they are, the pictures make is look like wear from corrosion

as far as shifting the drive manually you would be better off rotating the u-joint splined shaft as opposed to the propshaft, if you still can't get it to shift you may have to take off the top cap and rear plate to inspect the shift linkage, yoke, and clutch/gear assy

 

[boatingedge]

Re: Bravo 3 Bearing Carrier questions

Thanks for the info dubs.

I was able to get the drive in neutral after taking off the top and back plates. Is there anything special I have to do to put the plates on other than getting new o-rings and torquing down to specs?
Also, anyone know where I can buy just the top and back plate o-rings and not the whole kit. Those kits are expensive and I won't need most of o-rings that come with them.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bravo 3 Bearing Carrier questions

i wouldn't be too concerned about the "chips" if that is what they are, the pictures make is look like wear from corrosion...

That's exactly what they are, the beginnings of corrosion. Make 100% sure your Mercathode is working and that you have the correct anodes on the drive if you plan to leave it in the water. That corrosion could get much worse, very quickly if you don't. As it is now, it's not a problem.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bravo 3 Bearing Carrier questions

Why do you even need a new o-ring? Did you damage them when you took the top plate off?

 

[boatingedge]

Re: Bravo 3 Bearing Carrier questions

Why do you even need a new o-ring? Did you damage them when you took the top plate off?

No I didn't damage the old ones. I just assumed that they needed to be replaced since I opened up the covers.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bravo 3 Bearing Carrier questions

Nope, that's why they are o-rings and not gaskets. I removed my drive every winter for storage, for 8 years, and only replaced the o-rings once.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Bravo 3 Bearing Carrier questions

I just assumed that they needed to be replaced since I opened up the covers.

you are correct, always replace the o-rings, always, then pressure test after reassembly

they are cheap and designed to be replaced

you can get the top cap and back cover o-rings individually at any merc dealer