2007 Mercruiser Bravo One Service

[youmansjason]

I have a 2007 Mercruiser 350 with Bravo One with about 330 hours in freshwater only use. I've never had the outdrive pulled or had the bellows/gimbal bearing inspected/replaced. I'm not having any issues, but I'm considering having it done as a preventative measure. What do you recommend I have inspected/replaced when I take it in? What's the typical cost for these services at a dealer?

 

[alldodge]

I have a 2007 Mercruiser 350 with Bravo One with about 330 hours in freshwater only use. I've never had the outdrive pulled or had the bellows/gimbal bearing inspected/replaced.

Need to go buy a lottery ticket

No lube changes, no alignment checks, and no problems for 19 years

Maybe keep going until something blows up.

 

[Lou C]

I’d at least pull it to see if there’s water in the bellows & check the gimble bearing & ujoints. At 19 years I can’t believe that the bellows ISNT all dried out and cracked!

 

[alldodge]

My comment above is IF you have owned the boat since new

Replace lower shift cable and bellows. Replace gimbal bearing IF it doesn't feel silky smooth.
Bellows kit and shift cable is under 300
If your having it done your looking about 1000

 

[tpenfield]

Bellows inspection/replacement, outdrive pull might want to replce gimbal gearing and u-joints.

At a shop . . . probably $2K

 

[Lou C]

Hopefully it actually WILL come off!
Outdrives don’t suffer lack of maintenance gladly.

 

[bajaman123]

NOT that unusual, actually. I have known many owners who never had their Alpha One off. Now most/all DID change the oil in it regularly at least, lol!
Definitely time to inspect the U-joints and lube well, along with the aforementioned bellows and miscellaneous O-rings/seals. Buy high QUALITY items from Mercruiser or Sierra...don't cheap out on Chinese Amazon stuff!
If you don't have a Service Manual for your outdrive, I suggest you get a genuine Mercruiser one, readily available online in digital form, and/or you can buy a hard-copy. Use the recommended Mercruiser products or equivalents listed in the manual. I suggest making a support cradle out of some old 2X4s to rest the outdrive in when you pull it...more awkward than heavy but still NOT lightweight for sure.

 

[youmansjason]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I have changed the gear lube and checked for water on a yearly basis. Luckily, no issues there. I have a local trusted dealer that is willing to do the maintenance at a reasonable price, knowing that it hasn't been serviced in so many years.