Bravo 3 slipping into gear (cone clutch)

OllieC

Well-Known Member
SILVER Sponsor
Mar 11, 2013
6,705
N.W. ‘Sconnie
Boat Info
Sara Belle
2005 Weekender 215
Engines
Mercruiser 5.0 mpi, Bravo III
I seem to be having an issue with the top end of the Bravo 3. After doing some research it sounds like it could be the cone clutch. I can be in gear at idle, however when I increase the throttle it hesitates then slams into gear, even though it’s already in drive. Reverse seems to be fine.

My question is, if I replace the cone clutch, will the gears have to be replaced as well? Looking at a complete gear, clutch and linkage assembly puts me in the $1,500-$2,100 range if I want to replace or upgrade from a standard Bravo 3.

Also, I’m still driving it. Will this be catastrophic if I continue using the boat or will it slip until it no longer goes into drive? I have been nursing it so it doesn’t happen every time. I was hoping this could be a Fall/Winter project.

I’m at the cabin so my responses may be delayed.

Ollie
 
I've had good luck replacing just the clutch and roughing up the cups on the gears at a cost under $400.
Now if you break a gear with the banging into gear, well it's going to get expensive.
 
hi ollie !

i had exactly the same issue and it was the cone clutch .

only the cone clutch was replaced , not the gears .
 
Agree with the above - don't press your luck too long.

What gear oil are you using?
 
I use only Quicksilver gear lube SAE 90. Once this thing gets replaced I will probably add a drive shower as some have suggested. I don’t have any white on the case but I do go for long runs while on Lake Superior.

I went for a little drive yesterday and it didn’t act up. I was feathering it though.

When I get back I am going to check the gear lube and replace it. Mine does get really dark after my short season of boating here in North Country. Drive has 600 hours on it.
 
If you're using the regular Merc stuff (Quicksilver is just rebranded Merc stuff to be able to be sold outside of Merc dealerships), that absolutely could be the problem. Bravo drives MUST use the Hi-Perf gear lube or it can cause shifting problems.
 
I'm 99.9% sure it's this stuff - but I am going to drain it and try again.
67326380-f76b-400d-8b13-4ef7d2faaf29_1.622fa2d40224171eb4fcabb62c2f888b.jpeg
 
yep, just checked my Amazon account and it was HP Gear Lube
 
Well, actually, I was hoping you used the wrong stuff - that would have been a quick fix ;)
I was kinda' hoping too......:D

The last two trips I made it didn't hit hard. As I mentioned, I've been nursing it as I throttle up. However if it does become more prevalent I will stop boating. I only have 1.5 months left of good quality boating season ( we're fair weather boaters) and out of that maybe 2 weeks we'll be on the water. I'll pull the drive before I winterize it. Should be a good winter project.
 
I had some of the same issue when we had the 260DA. Always used the correct HP Gear Lube. Changed the gear lube and never had another issue......

Bennett
 

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