bravo 3 install

[capz]

I installed my bravo 3 today. It went in easy until the last half inch. I assumed it was the seal on the edge of the bellows stopping it, so I tightened the nuts until the surfaces were flush, then torqued them down. But now I'm a little nervous about that last half inch. How do you know if the shaft is all the way in? Can the u-joint pivot enough to allow the drive to go that far without the splines lining up? For those who have done it, should the surfaces be flush before tightening the nuts? I also have a problem with the trim gauge. I'll start another thread for that.

 

[Dave M.]

Capz,

It has been over a year since I have pulled my drive off, but I don't remember it acting the way you describe. But I was reinstalling the one I just removed. Maybe the new one is tighter somewhere, maybe the splines? If so, I would not like that.

Did you remove a Bravo III? What was the angle of the drive when you put it back on? When I did mine, I used a dolly make to hold the outdrive, so it was pretty much at zero angle. So it would not be possible for the U-joint to allow any extra space as you describe.

If it were me, and I did not know why it was tight, I would take it off again and look and see. Maybe there are alignment pins that are that length and fit snug? I think you want to be sure the U-joint shaft can move freely front and back.

I started a thread about troubleshooting the trim indicator. Have not fixed mine yet, so it is not complete. It would be in the electrical section if we had one. But we don't, so I don't know where it is. But it is out there somewhere.

 

[Dave M.]

Found the link.