Prop seals Bravo 3

joelger

Seaman
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Jul 29, 2021
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I have a 2010 SeaRay with an 8.2L and a Bravo3 outdrive. The boat has about 125 hours on it. Before i put it away for the winter i noticed the outdrive oil was low and also found some seepage where the iner prop meats the gear case. Clearly i need a reseal.
After doing a bit of research including looking at the manual, i see that there are two seals than can be the issue and I would like to replace them both regardless. There is quite a bit of information about replacing the larger of the two (the one in the carrier) but i cant find much on the smaller seal. Im not sure which is considered inner and which is outer.
In any event from the diagram in the manual it appears I would have to remove the entire prop shaft to replace the smaller of the two. My question is will this require separating the upper and lower sections. Im thinking the drive shaft is likely to fall down if i remove the prop shaft.
Any help?
Thanks in advance.
JG
 

dubs283

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Jul 27, 2005
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Yes, most likely failed propshaft seal(s). You'll want to replace both of them

No need to split the drive for this job, in fact leaving the drive still mounted to the bell housing works well as there is much torque/force required for removal/installation of both propshafts

You will also need some special tools for removing/installing the seal carrier and outer propshaft assy
 

joelger

Seaman
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Jul 29, 2021
Messages
60
Thanks so much. One more question regarding the tools. There seems to be 3 wrenches. One for the inner prop nut, and two for the carrier. Do I need both of the carrier wrenches or is it on or the other?
 

alldodge

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Mar 8, 2009
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You need 3 tools. Need the one with 4 fingers to remove the carrier
b3-tools-and-stuff-jpg.189357


Need the other 2 to remove prop shafts. They come out together
photo171_zps14b815d0-jpg.257642


Now to adjust shims there is another tool
I spent around $700 on tools to do mine and wish I would have bought to tool to remove the small inner seal. I got it out and back in but it was a pain
 

Scott06

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Apr 20, 2014
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6,438
Use heat on the bearing carrier retainer and to pull the bearing carrier out.

On my alpha I ended up getting a 3/4 drive breaker bar to get the retainer loose, bust my 1/2" one on first try.
 

dubs283

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Jul 27, 2005
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Use heat on the bearing carrier retainer and to pull the bearing carrier out.

On my alpha I ended up getting a 3/4 drive breaker bar to get the retainer loose, bust my 1/2" one on first try.
Bravo 3 seal carrier is threaded in (LH thread). The special tool used inserts into the exhaust ports on the carrier and a 1/2" drive breaker bar attaches to the tool. Not like an alpha that pulls straight out and is held in place with a separate retainer

As dodge stated the two special tools are used together to remove/install the outer propshaft retainer. The single tool is used for carrier removal/install. You need all three to properly complete the job
 

Scott06

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Bravo 3 seal carrier is threaded in (LH thread). The special tool used inserts into the exhaust ports on the carrier and a 1/2" drive breaker bar attaches to the tool. Not like an alpha that pulls straight out and is held in place with a separate retainer

As dodge stated the two special tools are used together to remove/install the outer propshaft retainer. The single tool is used for carrier removal/install. You need all three to properly complete the job
Thanks for correcting that . To the OP sorry for the confusion
 

joelger

Seaman
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Jul 29, 2021
Messages
60
Thanks for correcting that . To the OP sorry for the confusion
I have everything apart and i cant seem to get the inner (smaller) seal out of the outer prop shaft. Is there a special tool for this. Im sure i could do this if i could put some heat on it but i dont want to damage the shaft. Any suggestions?
 

alldodge

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I have everything apart and i cant seem to get the inner (smaller) seal out of the outer prop shaft. Is there a special tool for this. Im sure i could do this if i could put some heat on it but i dont want to damage the shaft. Any suggestions?
Getting that one out was a real bear, manual shows using a 3 jar slide hammer. I used a drift to know it out from the back side. It tore the seal up and note manual says to use locktite to reinstall. In my thread I used a hose clamp and old seal to reinstall
 
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