Bravo XR -
 

Trying to educate myself - I think I have the old style XR's. They are not the swept back style.


Who sells used ones that's reputable?

I lost forward gear in mine (when I drop it in gear there is a clunk and it kills the motor, then gets stuck in fwd and wont come out). Drained the oil and it looks like I have very small metal shavings throughout.

Will rebuild this one and keep as a spare, but would like to salvage my summer.

Anyone got one lying around they want to sell reasonably?

How hard are these to rebuild yourself?

There not hard at all to rebuild IF you are used to rebuilding Manual transmissions, rear axles etc and willing to buy whatever specialty tools you need, assuming you already own a arbor press, hydraulic press, bearing press plates, pullers, dial indicator, zero to 30 or 50" lbs tq wrench. All comes down to setting depth, preload, backlash, rolling tq.so real similar to doing a differential, Smitty

As far as "reputable" used ones, the majority of used XRs for sale were behind moderate to big hp. Ive had more then one person tell me they run a xr until its starts to shed metal, then buy a new one before it fails completely so I think youd be better buying one thats been professionally gone thru vs rolling the dice, Smitty

We sold two "used" XRs this spring. The gears, cases input and prop shaft were used but in great shape. Bearings, seals, races and upper shaft were brand new. Thats the only way id ever sell a used drive.

When we bought our first boat, which had a Bravo on it, my dad told me that nobody ever sells a used Bravo unless they can't use it, and "rebuilt" is not "used". Literally, the only time I've seen a "used" Bravo sold that didn't result in a blown up outdrive was in the case of an immediate re-power of a newly acquired boat that included upgrading the outdrive. Knowing that nobody installs an XR without intentions of leaning into it pretty hard, I don't know as I could bring myself to even contemplate buying a used XR that hadn't been completely rebuilt.

Thanks. Brad.

I have my doubts about rebuilding a "blown up" Bravo. Seems to me the cases get tweaked and they just do not stay together. Maybe I am wrong.
Catch them before and it is different but XR gears still are chit.

Wildman,

I would agree, for the most part. If gears have sheared teeth and attempted to climb over themselves, there is no way you can just replace the gears, bearings and seals, and expect the drive to last. Case material HAS been displaced. Those bearing and seal pockets are going to need closely inspected, at the very least, and likely welded in and re-machined, and the whole case would have to be dye penetrant tested before reassembly. There is undoubtedly a very high likelihood the case would be too far gone to save.

Thanks. Brad.

Exactly what I was thinking, I do not think many will do a dye penetrant. And really when you start coming down to it when that much damage has happened does it make since to pay for the machining and repair?

You are in the biz, how much cost would you have into inspecting and then repairing a bad case?

Wildman,

It would be out of the question for me. I don't have any fixturing to hold them, which would be an absolute necessity. For someone like AADS, who, I would think, would have the necessary fixturing, I wouldn't think it would be a real hill for a climber. I also don't know what a case would cost. The question is whether you could find a bare case, or a complete used drive that would otherwise be rebuildable. Sometimes, it comes down to what you have over what you wish you could find. I am of the opinion that nearly everything is repairable, if you don't have any other options. Looking forward at my long-term goals (fantasies), I don't think I would opt for an XR at all. If I need more than I can handle with an X, I'll just go with an SC or an SCX. But if my boat had come with an XR, and I needed to cobb it back together, for lack of options, I'd probably be pretty willing to go to the expense of making sure the case was as sound as I could make happen.

Thanks. Brad.

I found a solution with a relatively local guy.

Fortunately I only lost a bit of one tooth on the input gear......

Going to rebuild. Fingers crossed I'll be back boating sooner than later....

Usually when they break a tooth off, it breaks the case right behind
the pinion retainer nut and that usually make the case a moot point.

the biggest issue with them is the upper gears pitting out


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...bab2ce71a.jpeg
Like this

They pit like that behind 525's. That is the biggest issue with them and why I don't see a SC as much better. With smaller power like a 525 I have known people build the XZ drives out of the XR. Gyno the gears and they hold up pretty nice.
As soon as you see the flakes when you change the drive oil its time to pull them apart or its a time bomb.

I’ve witnessed 500EFI’s break teeth off…..BOOOM… oil slick and a long, hot ride home.

Spent the evening on my 16' Donzi.

Realized as we were idling out that I spent less on that boat, trailer, and motor than I spent today on new gears, clutches and bearings to rebuild the XR. It's interesting math considering I have as much fun on the Donzi as the CIG.​​​​​​​
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...dc565935f.jpeg

Curiously what's the various forms of bravo drive ratted for(HP/torque) from stock onwards?

thx

I assume Merc has never put them behind anything beyond their 525's.

Does anyone know what's mated to the 565's?

Either way I don't think Mercury is going to answer a warranty call from me on 14 year old XR's behind 800hp.

They put them behind SCI 600's,,,,, and everything now till you get to the 700's. Nuts.

These are snips from a 2012 Mercury product handbook I have saved on my PC as a PDF.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3fcfd1465d.png

The left out the disclaimer, "Your mileage may vary." :D

Yeah, there is probably very small print claiming no warranty at that power on the XR.

Mercury racing current site still says 600SCI standard with Bravo XR, quote below.
Under each engine they list compatible drives.
Interesting the 700SCI have M6 and M8, whereas they used to have the NXT.
Maybe they don't produce the NXT anymore.

Pretty sure the NXT was discontinued a few years ago.
Funny on the Bravo 1 they said 400HP, yet put them behind HP500's and HP500EFI's.

Wish they still did the XZ.