Mercruiser Bravo 2 - Cracked Lower Gear Housing

[JasKik]

Hi All

Just been informed that there is a crack in the lower gear casings of my Bravo 2 drive.

Images are attached.

What are the risks for this location of crack?

Can I still run the drive safely?

Does anyone know if repairs to such items are feasible?

Many thanks for your attention

Jon Marshall

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Mercruiser Bravo 2 - Cracked Lower Gear Housing

If everything still works well, shifting and such. I would just have it welded. Don't use any of the cheap crap you see on TV, have a pro do it. Its worth the money. Make sure they drill a small hole at the end of the to act as a
stop first, then weld the hole and the crack up.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Mercruiser Bravo 2 - Cracked Lower Gear Housing

...

What are the risks for this location of crack?

Can I still run the drive safely?

Does anyone know if repairs to such items are feasible?

...

Risk: oil contamination with water

No

Yes, by a pro, who has repaired outdrives before.

More importantly, why did it crack? Is that freeze damage? Did you back into something, or do you have no idea?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Mercruiser Bravo 2 - Cracked Lower Gear Housing

Typically caused by storing the drive in the up position and having it fill with water or snow
and freeze.Know of quite a few with that same thing. no running issues.

 

[JasKik]

Re: Mercruiser Bravo 2 - Cracked Lower Gear Housing

If everything still works well, shifting and such. I would just have it welded. Don't use any of the cheap crap you see on TV, have a pro do it. Its worth the money. Make sure they drill a small hole at the end of the to act as a
stop first, then weld the hole and the crack up.

No problems with the shifting - just worried about screwing up the internals. Have been trying to find 'outdrive' welders but they seem to be pretty scarce over here in UK

Thx for your advice.

Jon M

 

[netting one]

Re: Mercruiser Bravo 2 - Cracked Lower Gear Housing

I do alot of aluminum welding and have done alot of drives. They use he worst poris metal and is tuff to weld to start with new, that looks pretty bad and pitted. Not saying it cant be done but may not look the greatest or hold up if its getting brittle around that area. Im in ohio around vermillon if that helps. 440-724-8491 dan

 

[JasKik]

Re: Mercruiser Bravo 2 - Cracked Lower Gear Housing

Typically caused by storing the drive in the up position and having it fill with water or snow
and freeze.Know of quite a few with that same thing. no running issues.

Thanks for that

Not been in freezing conditions since I bought the boat and I am not aware of hittinganything - I couldnt however swear that it wasnt like that when I bought the boat as antifoul covered the let - dealer has stripped that back.

The drive was functioning ok - apparently the area of crack is not 'near' oil runs - now looking for looking for a welder in solent area, UK before resorting to buying new bits