Bravo2 outdrive wont spin prop

[Mancini]

I had a misshap with a fishing net last weekend. I was able to get slowed down but in doing so I went from cruising speed 24 mph to neutral to reverse in a 1/2 second. now It wont shift into forward or reverse. I took the top cover and back cover off of the bravo 2 and it shifts both forward and reverse. Also the top gear set spins when engine is cranked. When I shift into gear the prop spins freely(engine off) does not engage in either direction. I see there is a clutch involved below the upper gear set, could the clutch be ruined and if so how hard are they to replace? or is it something else like the shaft?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bravo2 outdrive wont spin prop

That exact thing happened to my 1997 Chaparral when it was almost brand new. My dad removed the back plate on the upper unit, and there was a "ball" that had slipped out of place. He put it in place and it never did it again. Sorry that your doesn't seem the exact same, though.
You aren't supposed to shift Bravos without the motor running, though. So I am not sure what that is actually telling you.
Hang tight, someone that know exactly what your issue is, will be along very soon.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Bravo2 outdrive wont spin prop

there is no clutch in the lower half of the bravo drive

all the shifting is done in the upper half with the cone clutch/gearset

keep in mind that the gears will spin even if in nuetral, it is the shift fork/cone clutch which engages either the top or bottom gear depending on fwd/rev

there is a coupler in between the upper and lower driveshafts that may be the culprit here, you are going to need to remove the drive from the boat and split it to troubleshoot further

 

[Mancini]

Re: Bravo2 outdrive wont spin prop

With the tests I have done, I have concluded that the problem is not the drive coupler and not the shift cable. However the upper gear of the clutch turns with the motor being cranked. My question is (was) there a part of the clutch that won't engage the other part of the clutch due to wear or some catastrophic event? Has anyone had an issue with the shift fork not working after a hard reverse? I thought the Bravo 2 outdrive was supposed to be able to hit something and have the clutch slip without damaging anything. As you may have noticed I'm not wanting to remove the outdrive unless I have to, I've looked at the manual and it looks like a lot of special tools are needed, If this is the case I'll take it to a boat mechanic. Thanks for the previous replies.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Bravo2 outdrive wont spin prop

it is possible to have slippage of the cone clutch where it engages with the "plate" (for lack of a better word) on the gear

usually what happens during a catastrophic event is the clutch actually fuses into the "plate" and you can't get it out of gear

with the back cover off and shifting the drive either fwd or reverse, watch to make sure the fork is forcing the cone either up or down, when fully engaged, if you can spin the prop there is an issue with something internally

cheapest/easiest problem would be the coupler i mentioned in my previous post - most expensive/difficult would be replacement of the cone/upper gear set

 

[Mancini]

Re: Bravo2 outdrive wont spin prop

I noticed the coupling between the lower drive shaft and the upper shaft, that you mentioned. Is that made of aluminum, and is it designed to strip out like the engine drive coupler, of which I have resently replaced. If so can that coupling be replaced without removing the entire outdrive? Just remove the lower unit? Thanks again for your help.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Bravo2 outdrive wont spin prop

i believe the coupler is made of steel, and although not neccessarily designed to break, it is a weaker link in the driveshaft chain as it were and can break

i suppose it is possible to change it without removing the whole drive but a bravo 2 gearcase is a big heavy sucker

you may want to get some sort of cart/stand assy and just remove the whole outdrive with some helpers nearby, its not worth the risk dropping that big drive on the ground

 

[Mancini]

Re: Bravo2 outdrive wont spin prop

Update on outdrive problem. I finally had time to remove the lower unit and found the lower drive shaft was sheared off at the base of the coupling. There must have been a tremendous amount of torque to shear a 3/4 inch steel shaft off. mercury should install a slightly softer steel as the driveshaft coupler. The price for a new lower shaft is over 500 dollars not counting other parts and having someone install it. Does anybody know of a place that sells a 150 dollar splined shaft for less than 500$, cause thats all they are really worth. "I own a boat, therefore I have no money."

 

[dubs283]

Re: Bravo2 outdrive wont spin prop

you could check here on iboats

otherwise ebay/craigslist for used/broken drives with a good driveshaft

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bravo2 outdrive wont spin prop

I don't know what kind of boat you have, and a Bravo 1 probably isn't a great match, but you know that SEI sells complete, brand new Bravo 1 lower units for $900, right?

 

[Mancini]

Re: Bravo2 outdrive wont spin prop

My boat is a bayliner ciera classic 2452 and it has a Bravo 2 outdrive with carburated 5.7 mercrusier. I got an estimate of 1360 dollars to replace the shaft. I dropped it off for them to repair it, I just don't have the time to repair it myself. Wish I did. I am hopeful that the upper is still ok. I checked it out and everything spins and no strange noises, so i'm gonna gamble and just have the lower unit repaired. Thanks to all for information and advice. I like this site and will be checking in often. peace.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bravo2 outdrive wont spin prop

Good luck.