Bravo 3 stuck in reverse, no forward, hard to get into neutral

[joncrisler]

I splashed my 2000 Sea Ray with a Bravo 3 today- and got about 200 yards to the fuel dock. When I shifted into reverse it got stuck there. I was able to get it back into neutral but could never get it into forward, which made quite a mess at the docks- good thing there were no other boats around. I eventually called for a tow back to my slip.

I disconnected the cable that runs to the drive and tested it manually, and could not get forward, and it frequently gets stuck in reverse. The drive sounds fine. I did change the drive oil before the launch, and the oil level seems fine. It has been suggested to me that the shift cable is frayed or otherwise stuck at the drive, which sucks because this is a big boat and it would have to be hauled out to change the shift cable.

Any advice would be great. Can the shift cable be replaced with the drive still mounted, or does the drive have to be removed? it looks like the shift mechanisim can be accessed by taking off a front plate from the upper gearcase. Thoughts ?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bravo 3 stuck in reverse, no forward, hard to get into neutral

Can the shift cable be replaced with the drive still mounted, or does the drive have to be removed?

Ayuh,... The drive HAS to come Off....

 

[joncrisler]

Re: Bravo 3 stuck in reverse, no forward, hard to get into neutral

Just a followup that the issue is now fixed. The shift cable broke in the outdrive. I had the boat pulled out, removed the drive, and found that the cable and metal sheath were damaged at the bellhousing.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bravo 3 stuck in reverse, no forward, hard to get into neutral

Just a followup that the issue is now fixed. The shift cable broke in the outdrive. I had the boat pulled out, removed the drive, and found that the cable and metal sheath were damaged at the bellhousing.

And I can guess how that happened, too. When you re-installed the drive, the "jaws" at the end of the cable in the drive were closed. Instead of closing around that little nub on the end of the cable, they pushed it up or down, and ruined the end of the cable. I re-installed my drive that way once, and got lucky, my cable was fine.

 

[joncrisler]

Re: Bravo 3 stuck in reverse, no forward, hard to get into neutral

And I can guess how that happened, too. When you re-installed the drive, the "jaws" at the end of the cable in the drive were closed. Instead of closing around that little nub on the end of the cable, they pushed it up or down, and ruined the end of the cable. I re-installed my drive that way once, and got lucky, my cable was fine.

It was actually not that at all- the cable has a metal outer sheath near the threaded fitting which broke and chaffed the cable itself. It has been 2-3 years since the drive was last removed; I think there was some problem with it being assembled wrong last time, but other than a bad seal I cant figure it out.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Bravo 3 stuck in reverse, no forward, hard to get into neutral

It has been 2-3 years since the drive was last removed

FYI - a bravo drive should be removed EVERY year for routine maintenance and inspection of transom components and engine coupler wear/alignment