Bravo 3 replacement

Curtis

Member
Feb 6, 2013
63
San Antonio, Texas
Boat Info
320 Sundancer 2004
Previous 280 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 8.1 (496 Mags) w Bravo III drives
I am looking for recommendations for a source for a remanufactured Bravo 3 for my 320. Has anybody used All American Drive Service? They seem to be cheaper and have double the warranty.
 
Did you check for a reman from Merc?

There is no easy way around this, the BIII is an expensive piece of machinery with no cheap replacement solutions. I have the same powerplant and drive and can attest that it is definitely under a lot of stress. We have done a lot of work to ours over the years. It is in fact the king of the money pit.

Personally, if faced with the same problem I'd just have the yard order a new one.

Henry
 
I am currently faced with the same situation. If you are going to make the plunge, you should probably just purchase a brand new unit. It's expensive, but you're getting a brand new unit in perfect shape. A lot of the shops do not know how to work on them and it is a highly specialized piece of machinery.

If you do get a reman one, get an 04+ because of the additional anodes.

But I am curious why you are replacing? If it shifts good, why not just pressure test, and have the case re-sealed and painted?

I am replacing because my case is pitted and it will be impossible to get the carrier bearing out or back in... so I have no choice. Take it slow and make sure you really need to replace your drive... and if you do, you may want to consider new.
 
I am currently faced with the same situation. If you are going to make the plunge, you should probably just purchase a brand new unit. It's expensive, but you're getting a brand new unit in perfect shape. A lot of the shops do not know how to work on them and it is a highly specialized piece of machinery.

If you do get a reman one, get an 04+ because of the additional anodes.

But I am curious why you are replacing? If it shifts good, why not just pressure test, and have the case re-sealed and painted?

I am replacing because my case is pitted and it will be impossible to get the carrier bearing out or back in... so I have no choice. Take it slow and make sure you really need to replace your drive... and if you do, you may want to consider new.
I am replacing because the old one dumped all the oil on me. I should have limped in on the other engine but I refilled the reservoir and tried to get back to the slip. Very expensive mistake I will never do again. She locked up on plane. I have talked to several shops and they all told me they are going to charge as much or more to go through it as a reman would cost. Life lesson
 
While the Arneson kit looks really cool, $22k is way out of my price range.
 
Did you check for a reman from Merc?

There is no easy way around this, the BIII is an expensive piece of machinery with no cheap replacement solutions. I have the same powerplant and drive and can attest that it is definitely under a lot of stress. We have done a lot of work to ours over the years. It is in fact the king of the money pit.

Personally, if faced with the same problem I'd just have the yard order a new one.

Henry
If I buy a reman, I am leaning toward a Merc reman. I was curious about the All American Drive Service because they offer a two year warranty at $4250. A reman from Merc has only a one year warranty and is about $6500. A new Merc has a one year warranty and is about $8500. Since nobody is singing praises for the AADS lower unit, I’ll stick with new one reman Merc. Thank y’all for the responses.
 
I bit the bullet and bought the brand new Merc Bravo 3. My local dealer came down substantially which helped me make that decision. Glad I did. A couple of friends helped me jerk he old drive and install the new one. None of us has done this before. Thank you U-Tube. It was really an easy job considering and the 320 is happy, momma is happy, and I am happy.
 
I bit the bullet and bought the brand new Merc Bravo 3. My local dealer came down substantially which helped me make that decision. Glad I did. A couple of friends helped me jerk he old drive and install the new one. None of us has done this before. Thank you U-Tube. It was really an easy job considering and the 320 is happy, momma is happy, and I am happy.

You made the right decision! Now, preventive maintenance:

1. Make sure you have the right anodes on (alum/magnesium for fresh water, zinc for saltwater).
2. Make sure your Mercathode is functioning
3. Change the gear lube seasonally or every 100-150 hours, have the drive pressure checked for leaks
4. While they're putting the new drive on, may want to consider boots, bellows, gimbal bearing, shift cable, and trim senders.

Enjoy!
 
I bit the bullet and bought the brand new Merc Bravo 3. My local dealer came down substantially which helped me make that decision. Glad I did. A couple of friends helped me jerk he old drive and install the new one. None of us has done this before. Thank you U-Tube. It was really an easy job considering and the 320 is happy, momma is happy, and I am happy.

This past fall I heard a noise at idle speed from my starboard drive. Thought it was one of my props, but when the boat was hauled for the winter, I found the lower drive was “clunking” when I turned the props by hand. I was told don’t waste my money on a rebuilt or reman, go new!

Curiosity was killing me what had gone wrong with the drive. No water intrusion, no oil leak....but metal shavings when I drained the gear oil. After buying a few expensive Mercuiser tools, I broke the lower unit apart and found I had chipped teeth on all 3 gears. Of course couldn’t find anyone to rebuild this one.

Yes, Bravo III are as expensive as all hell... Shopping..best price new gets my business.
 

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This past fall I heard a noise at idle speed from my starboard drive. Thought it was one of my props, but when the boat was hauled for the winter, I found the lower drive was “clunking” when I turned the props by hand. I was told don’t waste my money on a rebuilt or reman, go new!

Curiosity was killing me what had gone wrong with the drive. No water intrusion, no oil leak....but metal shavings when I drained the gear oil. After buying a few expensive Mercuiser tools, I broke the lower unit apart and found I had chipped teeth on all 3 gears. Of course couldn’t find anyone to rebuild this one.

Yes, Bravo III are as expensive as all hell... Shopping..best price new gets my business.
I paid $7600. for brand new in a box at my local Sea Ray dealer
 

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