I blew a drive yesterday and was wondering how much it will cost to replace it (Bravo 1x 496HO). I'm not sure if it was the upper or lower that went out so to make sure I'm ready to go for Memorial Day, I might just purchase an entire drive. Does anyone have one for sale? Where is the best place to purchase from? Should I consider a rebuilt drive? What kind of cost should I expect? Your help is greatly appreciated!

Also, any thoughts on what blew it? I was almost WOT but the boat never came out of the water. Only about 80 hrs on this 2004. Thanks!

Check the classifieds

TC,
We need more info on how it was driven.. and what kind of boat and how much power.. etc. Drive shower? Drive oil change interval?? Does the prop spin freely, do you have it off the boat, does the input shaft spin freely..

D*ck

[QUOTE=Mr Gadgets;2126564]TC,
We need more info on how it was driven.. and what kind of boat and how much power.. etc. Drive shower? Drive oil change interval?? Does the prop spin freely, do you have it off the boat, does the input shaft spin freely..

Mr Gadgets,

The drive has been "babied" for the most part. Not a lot of big air and I always come out of the hole slowly (half throttle). I have a 30 ft. boat with twin 496 HO's. I do have drive showers and the oil has been changed regularly. I have not had a chance to check whether the prop will spin or not (dry storage) I will be checking that stuff this AM. When it went out, I was about 3/4 throttle and had the boat trimmed fairly high.

Do most people just rebuild a drive or replace them? Would you suggest buying just a lower or just an upper once I determine where the problem is? Thanks again for the help!

I will check. Thanks!

gear ratio- upper or lower ?-if you figure out whats bad let me know as i have some good clean drives cheap.

Okay, the prop will turn freely and it does not make any kind of noise when I turn it. I did find oil down the side of the drive. It looks as if it is coming from very high up on the drive.....can't tell exactly where. Is that normal when you blow a drive? Is it a seal or did a gear pierce the case? My marina service is going to tear it apart tomorrow.

Copiercat,

Are these new drives or rebuilt? Can you give me a guesstimate on a lower and an upper? Thanks

TC,
was it the left hand rotation drive? It sounds like the top cap let loose. What does the serial number start with?? OL or OM? Oil up top is probably a broken cap.. if it is the LH drive, I would suspect. Depending on how much metal has been circulated thru the drive.. it should be torn down and inspected. If the lower was not contaminated and damaged due to metal particles.. then replacing the upper would do.
If gears are crunched and this is a standard B1 with aluminum tower, they get damaged when gears are broken. I replace the tower with a steel tower and put a good cap on with upgrade gear kit to properly set up one that has been damaged. That is if the case is in good shape.

A phone call to discuss what you have and where you want to go from here is probably in order.. 616-403-1006 is my cell.

D*ck

rebuilt 4 hours run time,with brand new internals, i changed to xz parts and 1:50 ratio, upper $900 + freight , fresh water