Thread:

Bravo 1 will not go into gear

Searched for info on this but couldn't find my exact situation.

This weekend, boat was running fine. When it was time to head back to the ramp, I idle'd out of the cove, just at the no wake line, I put the drives in neutral to put the bimini away and when I went back into drive... Port drive will not go into gear. Shifter went forward but no "hook up". So I tried reverse, same thing. I limped her home on the one drive and pulled onto the trailer. Yesterday I had the wife move the shifter back and forth and I can see it actuating on the engine bracket (502 Mpi Mag) and I can feel it actuating in the cable near the bellows on the drive.

My next check is to drain the oil and look for metal shavings, which if found will end my season.

Then I guess pull the drive and check that the cable is hooked up to the drive (I've never pulled a drive before).

Is there anything else I need to check? What could it be besides broken or unhooked cable at the drive?

In gear the prop spins both ways and there doesn't seem to be any grinding... it just feels like it's still in neutral.

I thought i remember hearing something about these units not going into drive if the rpms are too high (high idle)? I don't know, i know nothing about them, just something i remember hearing.

Torque coupler could have went too-da-loo....Been known to happen....

That would be my educated guess anyways...

If your wife can move the shifter without the engine running with little or no effort you have a cable problem. Since the shift bracket is moving I am guessing the short cable that runs from the bracket to the drive has failed. IF it is the coupling assy that joins the upper and lower drive shafts and the cable is ok, you can start the engine, put your hand on the top of the drive, and will be able to feel it shift. I know.... it doesn't turn the prop when it shifts.... but stay clear anyway!

If it does shit into gear and prop still doesn't spin it's possibly the vertical shaft or propagate broke at splines