Thread:

Bravo 3 lower help

Just got the bad news from the shop. Lost a bearing in the lower of my Bravo 3 and cratered it. Mechanic is saying I need a whole new lower. Any suggestions on where to start looking for reasonably priced lowers for B3? I know I am screwed but what do you do.Got to start somewhere.

Can you do that? I asked about switching drives but was affraid that on a low horse power 29 foot boat it would never get of the hole.

what is the reason for the them telling you need a entirely new lower if it is just a bearing. i have seen gear sets explode and still be able to use the case and shafts. sounds to me like the place you are using is trying to take you for a ride. i can understand if shafts are bad and the case got damaged making it unrebuildable but if it's just a bearing why can't they just replace the bearings re-shim it and your back in business. by no means would i ever change the bravo 3 out for the 1 on a boat of that size unless its a performance boat going over 65 mph. if anything go to a bravo 2 and swing a big wheel. this is the reasons for all the bravo drives 1-3.

The threads on the iner casing where damaged. They said they had a hard time getting it apart and when they did the threads where beyond repair. I know they could have done the damage themselves but I will never know for sure. They are the best in my area. They did say they had enough parts in house to rebuild it. Still, bend over and take it.

Originally Posted by Capitalgains

The threads on the iner casing where damaged. They said they had a hard time getting it apart and when they did the threads where beyond repair. I know they could have done the damage themselves but I will never know for sure. They are the best in my area. They did say they had enough parts in house to rebuild it. Still, bend over and take it.

ok i have seen guys think they know about bravo three's because they took apart a bravo one at some point and wreck lowers. first off the propshaft bearing carrier is the nut and it is reverse thread. i watched a guy one day destroy a case trying to get the carrier out because he thought he knew what he was doing. the whole time he was trying to loosen it he was actually tightening it and then after i told him it was reverse thread he just blew me off and he heated the shit out of the case and melted it. yeah nice job and he was a certified mercruiser mechanic but just didn't have the training on the bravo 3 and was still stupid to not open a book. i am a certified mercruiser mechanic and i still use the service manual. i am human and if anyone out thinks they know everything there fooling themselves and everyone they tell it too.

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Originally Posted by Hullshot

what kind of boat and how heavy is it. What motor package does it have..

you can switch but will have to play with props to get it close to right..will not jump out like it did with duo setup..also you can recase the lower you have..i can get cases and parts and have been a dealer for both factory and aftermarket rebuilds for 20+yrs..if i can be of any help please feel free to pm me and i will try..depending upon yr/model and ratio i can sell you a complete reman lower half duo for $2600+ frieght and core.you will lose around $150 of the $300 core due to case damage..been using these units for around 15yrs with 1 warranty issue and it was taken care of on the up..unit comes with a 12 month warranty. jeff

Originally Posted by Capitalgains

Thanks guys, the quote came back a little better. Only $2500 for a case they had sitting around and for them to rebuild it and install everything back in. They are Mercruiser certified mechanics and he is the best around here. He did give me a 1 year waranty and will stand behind his work. Some times you just hate getting told to bend over and take it. Thanks for all the replies.

have you seen your old case. was thing used in saltwater. what was the original complaint that made you bring it in to them. i'm not saying anything bad about the shop you are using but with the way business is these days lots of shops are making up things to sell jobs. i would ask to see everything and what exactly was the cause of failure. $2500+ i'm sure you know doesn't come easy. i know older bravo three's when used in saltwater had bad issues with corrosion and also electryolisis from all the stainless from props and shafts and not enough zinc to protect. that is why they went and added a propshaft zinc. also take a close look at the propshafts where the seals ride they alos had problems with that from the seals cutting grooves into the and the material they used and that is why they always need gear lube from time to time. if these issues are the case with yours i would then understand.

The original issue was excesive end play on the props and shaft. You could move the shaft in and out about 1/8th inch or so. When they pulled it apart they had problems with getting the inner apart. I did get to see the gears and one of the teeth had a nice chunk taken out of it. They said the end play was caused by a bushing failer and that lead to the gears not aligned right which chiped one of the teath. That chunk of the teath was then ground and dispaced throughout the casing. The lower casing has threads that where damaged too. Believe me, my first thought was no frigging way. But theres not much you can do once they have taken it apart. Reputation is all you can go on and for some people it still matters. The guy still has a good reputation and I have never heard anything bad about him. Thanks

Originally Posted by Capitalgains

The original issue was excesive end play on the props and shaft. You could move the shaft in and out about 1/8th inch or so. When they pulled it apart they had problems with getting the inner apart. I did get to see the gears and one of the teeth had a nice chunk taken out of it. They said the end play was caused by a bushing failer and that lead to the gears not aligned right which chiped one of the teath. That chunk of the teath was then ground and dispaced throughout the casing. The lower casing has threads that where damaged too. Believe me, my first thought was no frigging way. But theres not much you can do once they have taken it apart. Reputation is all you can go on and for some people it still matters. The guy still has a good reputation and I have never heard anything bad about him. Thanks

ok all of these issues you have listed above all seem to be legit to you needing a new lower. i have seen so many marinas just look for the slightest thing wrong and make up some story to create work and make money. $2500 for a complete half of a lower unit is a good price if i understand you correctly. is this a new lower because just a case alone is like $1800-$2000 and a complete lower half is somewhere in the neighborhood of $5,000+. if it is complete your getting a great deal.

just read your post above and you stated $2500 for the case but you still need a gearset and maybe shafts and such. you should ask your marina about purchasing a reman unit direct from mercury. 90% of the time it is a great deal difference in price and you get a 1 year warranty from mercury parts and labor. the marina will most likely offer only labor or just parts in their warranty. something to think about. not a big fan of aftermarket stuff. seen a lot of junk made coming out of china these days.