BravoIII question

[Alexy]

New member with a question about Bravo III drive.

Just wanted to ask if it is possible for Bravo III cone clutch to slip under load.

No shift issues going in to gear, gear oil good, coupler replaced last year ( 10 hours on it with good aliment)


So is it possible for the cone clutch to slip under heavy load ( 1/2 to full power)

Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... Anything is Possible,.....

Do ya boat in weedy water,..??
If so, weeds can/ will have the same effect,......

A quick Burst of reverse is usually enough to clear the weeds,.....

 

[Alexy]

I wish but I dodnt think that my problem.

more info:



2003 Crownline 242Cr
Bought new, now had 400 hours.

History of this problem:

2 years ago after pulling the kids on the tube for a while and on the way home I tried getting on plane and boat hit around 2k RPM and started to shake while engine RPM started climbing but didnt picking up speed. I stopped right away and pulled the drive up to look at prop. Thinking i had damaged the prop or was pulling some weeds but the drive was clean. so I put the drive down and tried again. This time i didn't have any problems getting on plane and everything sounded right. Thought to my self it was probably weeds as i didn't have this problem after this for a year.

Last year at the end of the season I was again pulling kids on tube, after while going home and attempting to get on plane boom same thing, hit 2k RPM boat shakes engine RPM jump up to 4K but im not going any faster. Just like a spun hub ( i know Bravo 3 don't have hubs in prop) So i did the same think raised the drive, look at props and everything looks good. So I tried again and same thing at 2K RPM. If i slowed down to say 1/2 power , no problem but the minute i got full power and engine hits 2k rpm, shakes and slipping. So I limped it home thinking coupler was cooked. Took the engine out and replaced coupler, aliment is good and was good prior to engine removal. . Had a chance to test it ones before winter and everything was great.




now this year with around 10 hours on new coupler i take the kids tubing and boat pulls great no issues until i tried going home and getting on plane. Same thing. Under 1/2 to full power when i get to 2k rpm and just about to get on plane it starts slipping . I tried 3 time until i got back by our dock. ones i dropped everyone off i did some testing and put it in reverse then gave it full power for just a min and she pulled with no slipping so i put it in forward and again pulled with no problem no slipping this time.




So... is it possible that my cone clutch is done and after heavy use when its hot starts to slip? or not engaging all the way?

 

[alldodge]

I would say this is either the cone clutch or the shift cable. Do some checking on you shift cable adjustment and or replacement, if its good, pull the top cap off the drive. If the cone clutch has been slipping out of gear there should be some signs on the gears

 

[Alexy]

Well I just marked my coupler and shaft with white paint and plan on going tonight to do some test runs. I want to eliminate coupler 100% . I just never seen or read on cone clutch slipping g under load only . But that's all that's left

 

[alldodge]

If the cable is pretty worn there can be some play, and do agree normally they do not slip. The only issue that I'm thinking it could happen is your easing up and it starts. Going to Rev and back to Fwd can recenter the play in the cable. The inner steel cable wears a groove inside the outer jacket.

Its real noticeable with an Alpha, takes a bit more for the Bravo

 

[Alexy]

Took her out for a full day and didn't have any problems, no vibration no slipping while getting on plane.

Also payed attention shifting forward and reverse and both shift with no delay and crisp thump. So im not sure of it can still be a cone clutch.

I would replace the lower shift cable but it didn't feel like it was jumping out of gear. It felt exactly like a spun prop hub, slipping. Im trying to understand how bad cable can cause it to slip under load, unless it limits how far the cone engages ?

What else can slip on bravo 3 and only sometimes/ after heavy use.

 

[alldodge]

What else can slip on bravo 3 and only sometimes/ after heavy use.

Nothing that I know of

 

[Alexy]

So you're still leaning towards the lower shift cable? Even though it goes in gear without hesitation? If that's the case I'll order it and replace it

 

[Scotvl]

What else can slip on bravo 3 and only sometimes/ after heavy use.

This might be something to try before you replace the lower shift cable. Remove the upper rear cover with 3 bolts on the drive and clean and lube the detent ball and spring(#31 from the diagram ), mine was frozen in the fully extended position and wouldn't collapse when shifting making it delay the shift or hard to get into gear. Mine was very hard to get in gear after I first purchased my 225 with bravo 3 and even slipped and banged into gear launching us forward one time which is why I found out about the fix for this, and it has shifted smooth ever since. Its worth a try and free just tilt the drive up all the way so you lose as little fluid as possible.