Hi all. new to this site . anyways , I've recently purchased a 1998 crownline with a bravo 1 drive, threw the videos I've watched there are 2 grease fitting nipples on this out drives ? my question is is it common for these to have allen key plugs instead of nipples at these places . and that you need to re and re at greasing times . thanks .

Someone has replaced the bearings with sealed bearings so you do not need to grease them, that's the reason for the Allen screws

Had the same thing on our Bravo 3 -- I had the gimbal bearing replaced and thought I was passing a brain stone because I knew that they were there before !!!

I personally would rather have the ability to pour the grease to them - but this is the new technology !

take care and Merry Christmas

3pointstar

^^^^^^^Yep

The greaseless gimbel bearings have been in service for 11 years and 2 months for Volvo and about 9 years for Mercruiser without any issues period. They are an average of 6 to 7 percent stronger and the ujoint bellows lasts longer with sealed GB bearings in a apples to apples life span. I would never go back to a grease bearing if applicable per that set up. The same goes for u joints. Sealed ujoints --- non greasable are 10 to 15 percent stronger with out the drilled cross section for a grease path.

yep,,not too many wheel bearings on cars that need greasing either these days ,,much better and last much longer

depending on the assembly and true year of the assembly - one grease zerk on each side (2 zerks ) for the hinge pins.

The gimbel bearing had only one grease zerk.

Post number one you mentioned 2 zerks.

the first design Bravo assemblies had 4 zerks total .