Hi everyone. I have a 2004 Formula 400ss with twin Merc 500 EFI motors and Bravo 3X drives. The motors and drives have about 150 hours. I have only put about 10 hours on the boat since buying it used last year. About two months ago, I got the boat dewinterized and took it out for its 2011 maiden voyage.

While docking, I realized that the shifter lever for the port motor was VERY VERY hard to move between F-N-R. When I was bringing the boat back into its slip, I almost had a MAJOR mishap. I realized that even though I had the shifter in the N or R position, it was still in F gear and moving forward.

Fortunately, I got the boat docked. I soon realized that I could still probably use the boat while waiting for my new main shift cable to arrive. I simply would dock with just 1 motor, then turn the port side on when out on the main lake, which would IMMEDIATELY put the boat into F gear on the port side and I would be fine as long as I was moving forward on the lake.

Everything seemed fine and I got used to it.

Last weekend, I noticed while idling that there was a knocking sound coming from the port side while at idle. It was hard to tell if it was occuring at speed, as the noise from the exhaust is so loud. We lifted the hatch, and it seemed much more like noise from the drive rather than the motor.

I ignored the issue, just assuming it was a related issue to the cable and went about my business. While coming home this past Sunday, at about max speed, I had an INSTANT loss of power on the port side. The motor seemed fine, but I got nothing out of the drive.

I turned the boat off, started up that motor to test and see what seemed to be happening... NO longer did I immediately move forward. It appeared that the drive was no longer catching into F gear. I could not switch between any gears. We limped home on one motor and I am trying to figure out what the issue may be.


Some people have told me that they think it could simply be the intermediary cable has come loose or is having an issue. Some have said I trashed the whole drive, and some think it could simply be the clutch.

My local lake and marinas are currently SLAMMED with work. I am at the point that I am considering pulling the drive and potentially doing any repairs myself, or at least taking the drive by itself to a shop for repairs. I am not going to give up 1/2 of my summer waiting for someone to repair or diagnose my issues.

I still don't have the main port shift cable in or installed.... but I suspect there is more at issue that just that piece.

Figured I would ask and see what anyone had to say.

Please don't just jump to conclusions on here as most do and tell me the worst possible outcome. I would appreciate educated responses and suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

Oh! Also, when the boat is now on the lift, I can easily spin the rear prop counter clockwise, with the inner prop then going clockwise..

BUT, if I try to turn it the other direction, it is nearly impossible!

This would leave me to believe that the drive is somehow still in gear?

Intermediate shift cable is probably broke under the bell housing , [ helmet] where it go's into the drive. put the out drive up and look at the cable. the outer cable housing seperates from the brass cable end. Maybe?

Port drive on boat with props turning out runs in F off the top gear. 400SS's are notorious for destroying Bravo drives. Not sure if the drive would knock at idle if you have broken teeth off the upper gear. It could have been a cable problem and the drive was knocking from skipping on the cone clutch. Pull the drive and shift it manually to eliminate any cables that are on the boat and see if you have smooth operation in F and R.

the upper gears and clutch are gone,,,,,, Take the drive off and have it rebuilt,,,, do yourself a favor and have both rebuilt because the other one is not to far behind...I rebuilt my Bravo 3XR every years to make sure they didnt break during the season,,, with a big heavy boat you have to do some changes in the drive to make them last,,,,send them to Max Machine Worx and have them rebuild them,,,,we buy parts from them and havent had any issues

Pull both drives off and send them to us. We have 30 years of drive experience. We are full MerCruiser center have all the parts. Can turn them around immediately. I would also check your shift cables when the drives are off. Call me at: 954 237 0332 and ask for John

Take the top cap off and look for chunks of metal and check for teeth missing on your top gear.