Replacing gears and clutch in Bravo 3

B

bbwhitejr

Well-Known Member
Apr 14, 2013
4,306
Lake Lanier GA
Boat Info
2003 420DA, 6CTAs
Engines
NA
Shop is telling me, after oil pan replacement, that now I need to change the upper gears and clutch in my Bravo 3 as it has started giving me trouble shifting into forward. Boat has 200 hrs and I just purchased in May. I know a boat is nothing more than a hole in the water that you throw money at, but....they are quoting me 6 hrs of labor @ $98/hr to do the job. Does this sound reasonable? How tough is it really to do? Are there strict tolerances, etc that must be met?:smt021

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Bennett
 
Had the same issue with my bravo III at 600 hours... 2007. Major delay in engaging forward/reverse. Made docking a little tricky. Although I had other work done at the time... looks like mine was about $1500 in parts with $400 in labor to replace. Runs like a champ now.
 
I think you both got a great deal! I paid $2600 for all new gear sets and clutches this past summer. Some of that was gear lube and pressure testing, but the six hours does not seem out of line.
 
I have the same problem and have been told that the clutch needs to be replaced. There are about 300 hrs on mine. I haven't received the quote yet but the verbal was around $2000 for just the clutch and about $2500 with the gears. Glad you posted, I'll use these inputs as a guide when I receive the quote.
 
From my estimate-gears-$1028, clutch-$353, total-$2013. Balance is labor. Saw gears on eBay for $886 and clutch for $309-all new stuff. After a $1150 new oil pan, hope this "monkey" will move on. Boat only has 200 hrs. Mechanic said most likely a misadjusted shift cable.

Bennett
 
Well I got the estimate today for changing the upper gears and new clutch ... its $3000 in parts and 12 hrs!! Totals over $4000! They have the gear set at $1500 and the drive has to be re-shimmed, gear lashed, and have the rolling torque tested after assembled. Then, after a 10 hr break-in the boat needs to come out of the water, drive removed, gear lube drained, gear set & clutch exposed and inspected for wear - this apparently is not included in the $4000.

From the previous posts, 6hrs seemed the norm but the price of the parts seem to be the big difference.
 
considering the gears are steel and the cone clutch is brass I would think replacing the cone clutch would be the first thing to try .
 
Thanks for the links - I have used www.perfprotech.com in the past and they have very competitive pricing.

I've been going back and forth with these guys since Aug and always get the same 'we're busy' response. They threw the estimate together without putting much thought behind it and was a worst case scenario, but it did provide some good insight into the part cost should the gears need to be replaced. I did look up some prices on the USA side of the 49 parallel and they are about 60% of the list prices they quoted.

There is only 310 hrs on the boat, half of which we added. I know I've not done any hard shift changes and the problem of not dropping into forward gear solidly has been a slow one to occur (noticed it starting over a year ago). Based on inputs and other posts I've read I'm relatively comfortable that the clutch and the shift cable are probably the only two parts that need replacing - I've sent them a polite note that should parts become a major expense I'll provide them.

Since it will be in the shop - should the shift cable on the other drive be changed at the same time? I have NO problems with this drive at all but wonder if it is just a matter of time.
 
I have an honest question. With the cost to replace the clutch and gears being this high, wouldn't it be more cost effective to replace the entire outdrive unit? I'm sure that the cost of parts would be a lot higher, but the labor should be a lot less. Also, you would end up with an entirely new outdrive, right? (I'm assuming the clutch is part of the outdrive)

Am I missing something? I'm very new here, so I am asking mostly for my benefit.
 
Had an independent mechanic(certified mercruiser) come out and charge me $120 to look at my issue and adjust the shift cable that he installed this past May. I figured for $120 it would be worth it. He made a slight adjustment and testing on land when it was cold, it looked good. Launched Saturday, ran 10-12 miles, anchored, and performed perfect. Fired up later on Sunday and back to the dock. In/out of forward numerous times to dock and put her on the trailer and each time she performed flawlessly. It was my turn to get lucky I guess.

Bennett
 
bbwhitejr said:
Had an independent mechanic(certified mercruiser) come out and charge me $120 to look at my issue and adjust the shift cable that he installed this past May. I figured for $120 it would be worth it. He made a slight adjustment and testing on land when it was cold, it looked good. Launched Saturday, ran 10-12 miles, anchored, and performed perfect. Fired up later on Sunday and back to the dock. In/out of forward numerous times to dock and put her on the trailer and each time she performed flawlessly. It was my turn to get lucky I guess.

Bennett
Click to expand...

That's great to hear, congratulations on the good fortune!
 
Thanks davidh82. Now I have a battery/charger issue. Seems like it is always something. However, after learning and working through all of the issues, I will have to be better for it-broke, but better for it!

Bennett
 
i had to get my clutch changed this year ( bravo III ) and paid with a new shift cable and gearoil 1200 eur ( about 1500 $ ) . gears were not needed , shame a clutch was after 140 hours.
 
for $4k ide buy a whole new outdrive and slap it on myself....simple
 
sea hare said:
for $4k ide buy a whole new outdrive and slap it on myself....simple
Click to expand...
You can't buy a new Bravo III for $4,000.00... Try $7,000.00 to $10,000.00!
 
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