failed engine coupler, how much $ to fix? 454MPI/Bravo

[77_starcraft]

It appears that the engine coupler has failed on my 1998 454MPI bravo combo.
the outdrive input shaft does not turn when the engine is running.

From what I have read the engine & outdrive need to come out to replace it.

what is a reasonable labor cost for this job.

the boat has 400 hrs. should the gimbal bearing be replaced at the same time?

I noticed a vibration when changing trim under heavy load. was this a sign that the coupler was going?

thanks

[Don S]

I would guess that 8 hours is going to be about minimum, depending on accessability. Trust me, what you may think is easy to get to, may be completely different than what the mechanic that actually has to do the job sees. I have had way to many customers tell me there engine had great access, only to see that access to touching the carb and thermostat housing was the only thing accessable. I've had to pull manifolds off many engines to get them out of the engine compartment in order to get to the coupler or other things on the engine.

[cr2k]

The vibration may have been the coupler or it may be the U-Joints.
Either case you will have the opportunity to check them and the gimbal brg all at once.

Depending on where you go and what the going rate is I would say between $800 and $1500 could be more if you need other parts replaced too. Since you are going to be in to it to replace the coupler, it is a good time to do other drive train services too if needed or close to it.

[dpoff]

It cost me $1250

[Bt Doctur]

coupler is around 3 ish so that sounds close.
Pull drive
Pull engine
R/R parts
install eng and re-align
install drive.

[77_starcraft]

did the coupler most likely fail due to misalignment?

should the alignment be checked at some hr. interval?

[Showtime22]

Maybe post an ad on craigslist. Hopefully you can do better then 1200. I would probably do it for less if you are in MN. But its hard to say with out pics. So include a few.

[bruceb58]

did the coupler most likely fail due to misalignment?

should the alignment be checked at some hr. interval?

The drive needs to be pulled annually and the alignment checked. At the same time you lube the input yoke.

If your stringers are rotting, it will allow the alignment to get out of whack very fast and it won't hold the alignment so the stringers need to be really checked well before you put the engine back in or you are going to be doing this again. If the stringers are bad, you are going to have to rebuild the stringers.

[77_starcraft]

I had the job done at century marine for $600.
the gimbal, u-joints and bellows were in good shape.

the brass splines in the coupler were stripped out. how does that happen?
I bought the boat this year, it has prop with no dings on it. is it possible after 12 years of no lube it wore out or do you have to hit something to strip the splines

thanks

[Bond-o]

is it possible after 12 years of no lube it wore out

Ayuh,... That or misalignment...

[180shabah]

...is it possible after 12 years of no lube it wore out or do you have to hit something to strip the splines

thanks

more than a decade without proper maintanence, parts will definately wear.

[havasuboatman]

I had the job done at century marine for $600.
the gimbal, u-joints and bellows were in good shape.

the brass splines in the coupler were stripped out. how does that happen?
I bought the boat this year, it has prop with no dings on it. is it possible after 12 years of no lube it wore out or do you have to hit something to strip the splines

thanks

TEWLVE YEARS!?! I shudder to think what the rest of the boat is like. Expect a laundry list of other problems, my friend.

[TFHTECH]

If You Were On L.norman Nc It Would Be $700 To R/r And Parts
Most Failure Is The Stringers Are Rotted So Do As You Were Told Before Check Out The Engine Bunks Real Good You May Have To Drill A Hole In Each Next To The Mounts To C For Shure But Be Shure To Seal The Hole Up Afterwards Good Luck

[Don S]

Sorry TFH, but the main reason for the splines being stripped out of the coupler is due to lack of lubrication. Rotten stringers and misalignment normally causes the rubber to give out on the coupler.

PS: If you turn off the caps lock, you won't have a capital letter on every word.

[TFHTECH]

sorry about the caps but im not shure he said that the splines were gone or not well any way i have put drives in my boat just to prove a point that if your properly alinged you wont have any wear. most motor are off just a little under a hard load and will fail. i d agree you have to grease them for your cusomers on a yearly bases

[The Rodfather]

First post- I was told $1200 is average for a marina pulling an I/O and replacing the coupler. My boat is a 2000 Trophy 2052 and a week ago my coupler just spun within the bushing. Plenty of grease and no splines were chewed up and no strong vibrations either. See the burned rubber in the picture? The boat started to slow down while maintaining RPM's. If felt like I was dragging my anchor. After pulling the lower unit first, I found my gimble bellows was leaking a little but the bearing was good and less than 3YO but not the major issue. While unhooking the riser pipes down to my "Y" pipe, I found the charred cinder remnants of my starboard motor flapper. Assuming that issue caused the large hole in the Starboard riser and the excessive rust on that same manifold clogging the raw water inlets. So now I need to replace the lower G-bellows, motor flappers, exhaust manifolds, risers and 3" spacers on a boat I just bought. Got a great deal on auction website for a new coupler @ $90 and found another company willing to accept cash deal for factory cast iron Mercrusier Manifold and riser set and a pair of Osco 3" spacers for $650. He even gave me new gaskets and bolts. So far my parts bill is $800 and the beer bill is nearing that high water mark too. I should be whacking fish again next week.
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[HT32BSX115]

PS: If you turn off the caps lock, you won't have a capital letter on every word.

I always thought the CAPS lock "capped" all the letters in EVERY word...........

[bruceb58]

Old Thread!