BRAVO 3 outdrive. lower gear unit.

[barrowgv]

oil leaking from lower gear unit at the junction of the housing and prop. i assume there is a seal around the prop shaft where it enters the housing. if so, is this easy to replace by removing the props?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: BRAVO 3 outdrive. lower gear unit.

Howdy,


Well.....you sort of get into that area by removing the props.....


It's not really a "user replaceable" seal.

You need to have a look at Mercury service manual #11 (depending on the year model....)

You're probably talking about seals (#45) indicated in the picture below......It's not a simple job to replace them on a Bravo.....

 

[Don S]

Re: BRAVO 3 outdrive. lower gear unit.

It may not be the prop shaft seals. There could be a leak from the upper leaking into the exhaust housing and running out around the props.
Best thing to do is pull the outdrive, drain the gear lube and do a pressure test on it to find what is acually leaking.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: BRAVO 3 outdrive. lower gear unit.

Hi,I thought I would post some new information just so that you are aware of that if you do end up needing a new prop shaft seal in your bravo 3 sterndrive, Then just make sure of that what ever Mercruiser service shop that does the work for you is aware of that there is a new style seal to help stop this leak from happening again. The Mercruiser shop that does this repair for you will want to have a look at Service Bulletin Number 2010-64.
The new inner propeller shaft seal part number is 26‑8M0033407
And the old seal part number was 26‑861695.
They also have a new Seal removal tool ? Part number 8M2013914.

Here is some general information about it.
A new inner propeller shaft seal with improved sealing characteristics has been developed. A new seal removal tool is also available
which makes it easier to remove the inner propeller shaft seal without damaging the needle bearings behind the seal. Refer to
CMD Service Bulletin 2009-14.
For inner propeller shaft seal removal and installation instructions, refer to Service Manual #39 Bravo Sterndrive.
a - Original‑design Bravo Three inner propeller
shaft oil seal with helix pattern on seal face.
b - New‑design Bravo Three inner propeller
shaft oil seal without helix pattern on seal face.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: BRAVO 3 outdrive. lower gear unit.

is this a saltwater use bravo?
like DonS said, now its time to PROPERLY diagnose the issue to prevent some very expensive splatter gunning.
had a boss once quote a lower seal job over the phone.
when the unit showed up the outer propshaft seals had actually corroded completly out of the bearing carrier.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: BRAVO 3 outdrive. lower gear unit.

is this a saltwater use bravo... actually corroded completly out of the bearing carrier.

Excellent points by rodbolt. B3s are very suseptible to corrosion on the rear bearing carrier.

Don S is telling you to properly diagnose the problem, and he's right.

 

[barrowgv]

Re: BRAVO 3 outdrive. lower gear unit.

thanks to all for the help. the boat is 2001 searay and is on the chesapeake bay so is in saltwater. it seems this is a job for superman ( my mechanic) he loves the name. anyway he is taken a look to see what needs to be done. am hoping it wont delay opening day rockfish trophy season. again its nice to have all you guys helping an old Navy man.

 

[Stephane Brideau]

Re: BRAVO 3 outdrive. lower gear unit.

Hi,I thought I would post some new information just so that you are aware of that if you do end up needing a new prop shaft seal in your bravo 3 sterndrive, Then just make sure of that what ever Mercruiser service shop that does the work for you is aware of that there is a new style seal to help stop this leak from happening again. The Mercruiser shop that does this repair for you will want to have a look at Service Bulletin Number 2010-64.
The new inner propeller shaft seal part number is 26‑8M0033407And the old seal part number was 26‑861695.
They also have a new Seal removal tool ? Part number 8M2013914.

Here is some general information about it.
A new inner propeller shaft seal with improved sealing characteristics has been developed. A new seal removal tool is also available
which makes it easier to remove the inner propeller shaft seal without damaging the needle bearings behind the seal. Refer to
CMD Service Bulletin 2009-14.
For inner propeller shaft seal removal and installation instructions, refer to Service Manual #39 Bravo Sterndrive.
a - Original‑design Bravo Three inner propeller
shaft oil seal with helix pattern on seal face.
b - New‑design Bravo Three inner propeller
shaft oil seal without helix pattern on seal face.

i notice the new seal have a teflon like lips (looks like a dust sweeper) and i wanted to make shure is goes facing the props thanks