Bravo 3 Legs

[Jim]

My boat is 16 months old, with 380 hours running time - the Universal Joint in the Bravo 3 leg (coupled to a 250hp Yanmar) has suffered a bearing failure and needs replaced. Does anyone else have experience of Bravo 3 legs and their reliability?

[Brian]

Ho Hum, Jim.
Recommend you do a search on this forum on Bravo 3.
There is a lot of comment about them. I will let technical people "talk" to you about your specifics, but.......
Is your leg a Bravo 3X or Bravo 3?
I didn't realise the Yanmar engine at 250hp was still available 16 months ago?
And, is it definately the gimbal bearing that has gone or is it that the engine-leg coupling-joint bolt that has worked loose?

[Dirk Diggler]

Oh Dear, let the spending begin. It's not the usual breakage, possibly more a case of wear and tear. Mind you, the fact that you only get a years warranty on the drive must tell you something!

I assume it's an X drive as it's not very old, if it was a standard Bravo you could buy UJ parts from your local motor factors, but not for an X!!!

What bits have you broken, and I'll give you the prices.

[Jim]

Hi Chaps,

When I ordered the boat, I asked for the Bravo 3x - I was told all Bravo 3s were Xs by then (Sept 02). It is definitely the Universal Coupling Joint (Hardy Spicer) that has broken - the gimbal bearing is okay. I'm extremely disappointed that this failure has occured - at the time of my order, I was advised that although there had been numerous failures of Bravo 3s coupled to 300hp Yanmars, there had been few problems with the 250hp - hence the engine selection for my boat.

I will indeed have a search through the Forum for further info.

Thanks.

[Dirk Diggler]

So does it say X on the drive???

If you look at the gimble bearing, it should have a red dot if it's an X.

The Hardy Spicer (cross/bearing assembly in Mercruiser speak) is part no: 862132T priced at £126.79 + vat each.

If that all that you have broken I would fix it myself, to get a dealer to fix it will cost you big bucks. They have a habit of pulling your pants down and giving you a good rogering!!

Out of interest, they're only £25.00 list price on a normal drive!!

[MarkWildey]

Jim

Had the same failure on my 'X' leg last year.

Join the club

Cheers

Mark

[Jim]

Dirk, thanks for the info - there is indeed a red dot on the gimbal bearing!

Unfortunately the local Mercruiser agent is already working on the UJ - a replacement arrived from Barrus today - he say's we will get it "at cost price" - whatever that means! If the joint fails again, I know who to come to.

Thanks for your help.

[Jim]

Mark, out of interest, how many hours had the leg done when the failure occured?

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally Posted by Jim

"at cost price" - whatever that means!
Thanks for your help.

£78.29 + VAT

[MarkWildey]

Jim

The engine hours were about 350 but I understand the leg was a replacement for a standard Bravo 3 leg at some point in the past !

Even worse !

Cheers

Mark