Originally Posted by PARADOX

Thanks, but I am not known to be "poltically correct" . I call it as I see it. However, if a 525 is questianable, how come Merc even offer it as a choice? fully aware that there is an issue. How many XR bolted to 525's? as a standard package? It's in their brochure, not just some buyer wants more then it's designed for. Just my .02

Originally Posted by copiercat

I dont even want to take it out anymore as I broke 3 maybe 4 times the upper's and crap ends up trashing lowers, to upgrade to anything else is a total waste since the boats value is less than a 1/3 of what it cost to put it together. I think the original Bravos were stronger than the XR's and faster too. If you drive it like it's a pimp mobile they work but anything over 5 g rpm's your asking for it.

Originally Posted by JRider

Makes your STV seem like an economy boat, doesn't it.

Originally Posted by PARADOX

Couple things boys. I have a 1994 STD Bravo.. 500+ hours with a 454 mag. No problems. none, But no serious HP and high revs. However. The XR's problems are not in the gears. It's in the overall design specifically in the upper driveshaft. Some time ago (not sure when) merc changed the upper niddle bearings and also hardened the driveshaft etc. Now. You got more "niddles" in the bearing but less of them. Also the port wher the lube gets to the bearings and shaft is too small. So the niddles/bearing digs a groove in the shaft and stuff gets out of alignment, viboratin then failure. Merc. wont tell you this, but I have discussed this with merc racing staff and during some "casual" talks they will admit it. I am pissed at Merc also, so I have no reason to keep it out of the arena. I had great relatinship with Merc, untill the CMI issues. (old stuff). I had both the 525's XR drives upper shaft replaced, seen the problem but I cought it in time so no break downs, to date. Close. The gears are not an issue. Change the niddle bearing to the old style, if you can get them , machine the lube hole out to get more oil in the bearing and shaft areas and the XR will last longer. (unless you bolt on some 850 HP crazy stuff. I will see if I can dig up the driveshaft pictures one of these days. But at the end of the day, it's called planned obsolesance, faulty parts, designs, more new parts and service sales. Merc's integrity is gone long ago.

Originally Posted by JaayTeee

The new bearings are a caged bearing ( less needles)
the older bearings are needle bearings( more needles)

You can still get the needle bearings....I use the needle
bearings whenever I'm into one.

I think that I've only had 1 or 2 clutch shafts that had issues,
but I've dealt with about every scenereo of upper gear
failure multiple times, and these were behind 575's and below.