Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

I have got a bravo 1 outdrive that was always easy to shift in and out of gear. Over the weekend I put the boat in the water and it seemed that I had to put a lot more effort into getting the unit to engage into forward. I did the obvious and lubed the cables but it did not feel like it was in that. Just wanted to see if anyone could let me know if maybee I am missing something that may need to be lubed, greased etc. Thanks, Anthony

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

You could also pull your shifters out and lube them as well as the bracket on your motor. Other than that are you sure it's not out of adjustment going into to forward? If it is it's usually just a couple of turns from being correct again. Bad part is your cables stretch after time and my need to be replaced soon. Especially the short cable from your bracket to your drive. That's usually the first one to go. Hows your maintenance on your drive and how many hours on it?

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

Tmone,
Disconnect the cable from the bracket that goes up to the shifter. Make sure the motor is running and try to shift it at the bracket. Becarefull no good to be in the engine compartment while it is running, but....

If it still shifts hard, pull the drive and move the cables. If it frees up, then it is in the drive. You can pull the back cap off and take a look. The ball detent can get messed up.. after that. Well time for the book or a mech.. to look into it.. If you want to dig deeper I would be glad to help with advice..

Dick

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

Hey guys thanks for the info I will try looking into what your suggestions are and see what I come up with..Thanks again, Anthony

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

yep, separate the possibilities and trouble shoot
mr. gadgets helped me with this too.

my problem: the end of the red cable had a slight bend. took the cable off and just the shifer cable was very stiff. started the engine and moved the lever (now freed from red cable) and sure enough, the drive went in like butter. bent the end of the red cable some and it slid like butter too. reconnected and all fixed...

thanks BTW mr. Gadgets

Ramb

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

Happened to me last season. Shifting started to get a little stiff, then got worse as time went on. Took the back plate off the B1, cleaned everything up, greased everything that moved, put it back together. Shifts like new now.

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

Ramb,
Glad to help..

Dick

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

Mr. Gadget,
since there are several threads covering this topic, I won't start another. I began having the hard to shift issue last weekend. did some minor checking and decided to get an adjustment tool. ordered it and when i called to get it, no one placed the order...so no adjustment tool. I placed an order for another from a different shop and it should be here Tuesday.

is there a way to adjust the linkage while trailored and without the tool? today is perfect and tomorrow is going to be the same, but haven't read any articles that tell you how to adjust without the tool.... It will go into forward and reverse, but not without force. i do not want to get a boat full and ruin there day out if i have to start jackin' with the shift problem i knew of before we went out.

thanx Mr.G

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

tech,
sorry I didnt get back to this thread sooner, trying to get my motor assembled.
I have adjusted the linkage without a tool. There is a certain distance that the cable end should be in the slot.. I think it was 1 or 2".. I dont have a pic of it in my head, but the way it works is that the cable from the shifter, pushes on a lever with the another cable attached to a slot. So the closer it is to the end of the slot, the more travel it has. With the drive in Neutral the cable to the drive should be in the magic position so that it will push the shift fork and the cone clutch all the way into gear without going too far. Once you have that figured out, then the cable lengths need to be equal for fwd and rev.. I hope this makes sense. The drive will pop into gear if the detent is working properly on the back cap.
That is why I say disconnect the front cable and shift it.. if it goes in easy, then the drive is ok. If not then adjustments are probably not the problem.
How far the cables push or pull locates the shift fork with the cone clutch sitting in the fork. So long as it is in neutral position and pushes or pulls far enough to get all the way into gear.. your good.
Find out why it shifts hard, then when you get the tool.. make sure the adjustments are good.. That is how I would go after it.. It is kinda of a feel thing.. I know what is going on inside so I can tell what is happening when I play with the cable..

Good luck.. and sorry I didnt see the post sooner..

Dick

PS.. you could run the boat on the hose, keep the rpm at very low idle.. and make sure no one is by the prop.. I would back the boat into the launch on the trailer and mess with it.. If it isnt busy at the launch..

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

Mr. G, question for you.
I am having the exact same thing and I am going to the boat tonight to work on this.
By taking off the rear cap can you take apart the ball detent to clean and re-lube if needed? Or must yu remove the TOP cap also?
Just need to know because if it needs special tools then I will be removing the drive and taking it in :(
But I was giong to lok into the rear cap prior to removing the drive to check cable movement

thanks :)

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

OK, took my back plate apart last night.

Good thing I just slightly loosened the bolts and noticed the oil leakage.
Went and blocked the drive fluid line from inside the boat :)
Found the detent ball stuck. Had to tap it hard to free it up.
Everything was not well lubed either :( This almost looks like a yearly service spot I will start doing.
Once the rear cap was off I was able to shift in and out of gear at the helm fine. Almost as easy as if the motor was running.
Lubed everything up real good, reinstalled and was still able to shift at the helm. :)
Now real test will be in the water.

BTW, just a reminder to others that you WILL have to refill the drive fluid from the bottom up. It will NOT drain back in on its own.
Also wanted to add that I had to take a 12 point 3/8" socket and grind down the casing on it to fit into the housing bolt holes for the two upper bolts :(

Could not find a deep socket 12 point :(

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

my thanks, too Mr. Gadget. It took awhile, but a few measurements, spinning the prop and way too many trips in and out of the boat to change gears, I was able to adjust the shift cables....while I wait for the adjustment tool.

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

Hey sorry guys I havent been able to check this thread.. trying to get mine running also.,.

but it sounds like you were both able to get going..That is great. That magic black box on the back is not that scary.. LOL!!

If you need to get to me quicker.. sometimes an email is better..

Enjoy and let me know how it works out. But I think you are both in the right area..

Dick

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

Just thought I would give an update.
Spent the day on the river and it was truly an awesome 80+ day out.
The drive shifted perfect each and every time :)

Thanks for all the info Dick, and this site is so great it just saved me several hundred dollars from taking this problem into someone else :drink:
Last guy I talked to wanted to change out the gear set right away.
Said the only thing that would cause my problem would be worn teeth.
Qouted $700 for the gear set and another 400 for labor :rolleyes:

Thanks again

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

Mn, Tech,
Nice to see someone take interest and work on it till they figure it out!!
Glad it worked out for you both.. I'll let you buy me a beer next time we meet up!!

Dick

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

While a guy has that rear cap off its a good time to look inside and take a look at the upper gears and for metal/debris. On a XR quite often you'll see wear on the pinion gear first but unfortunately you can't see the pinion very well thru the back. The cover O-ring is usually re-usable too if drive is fairly new,Smitty

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

It would be my pleasure to buy you a few drinks.
Worth every penny for the information you give out here
:)

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

I'm having the same problem as everyone else. So, if I take the back plate off to check detent assembly, will all the drive oil come out? I've never messed with an outdrive, but can usually figure things out. thanks

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

yes you need to drain it, or at least drain some of it out..

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

Yes, you will loose drive oil
What I did was crimp the line coming from the bottle to hte inside of the drive. Just folded the hose and put a wire tie on it as a temporary blockage :)
Then once you pull the rear cap you will get a mess. I suppose once the hose is crimped you could drain the rest out through the prop hole, that would be easier to contain. :)
Just make sure after everything is put back together that you refill the drive through the BOTTOM. It will not automatically fill by gravity alone.

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

Thanks guys...

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

Meeester Gadgets, If I put on new IMCO shortie lowers will this fix my shifting problem, if I currently have the ball detent problem?

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

Lower Units Don't Have Anything To Do With Shifting ! Bbb

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

I believe the ball detent might be the problem and from what I understand it's in the upper part of the drive, which is technically part of the lower unit. So, I beg to differ.

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

Umm...NO....That is the "upper" if you go to a shortie you are changing the "lower" unit..so..To answer your question..No :D

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

Actually the term lower unit comes from the outboard days, and is the lower gearcase of an outdrive or outboard. Many even share alot of the common same parts ! If you had changed the the upper driveshaft assembly, when you went for a whole different drive, then the shifting problem could have been eliminated. If you put a lower gearcase on an upper with a problem, it's not going to fix the problem. It's like going to the shoe store with a toothache. :D . Unlike an alpha or even an outboard, the lower on a bravo is a fixed gearbox with no shifting ability. They should have made the upper fixed as well and used a transmission, but Merc. would have spent more to produce, made less money and experience less breakdowns which = huge profits all around for Merc.

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

pull the back cover off
takes only a few minutes

you will actually spend more time cleaning up the oil versus turning the wrench, so drain the drive first :)

Best personal and easiest fix i have ever done on my boat.
and well worth the time

Thanks again Mr. Gadgets

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

If you get water in the drive the shift detent ball and spring can get hung up. I just remembered this, recently I took apart an early style drive and the parts in this area were rusty. Water had entered , due to corrosion around where the rear cap meets the case. Also must clean where the shift slide opening is. The o-ring area should be cleaned and painted if necessary. Sealer should be used, as well as new o-rings, on these areas.
Sometimes spraying penetrating oil in the shift slide cavity will loosten up a sticky shift mechanism. This may not always be a real lasting fix.
These drives were made to be shifted only when running, hence the timing marks on the gears, basically works like a manual tranny with syncros. , the power helps engage/disengage the cone clutches. BBB

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

When this detent ball under the cover needs service does it usually shift hard both ways? forward and reverse or can it just be hard one way. My xr shifts hard forward but like butter into reverse. My mechanic worked on it once already last summer saying there had been a bulletin on something that he changed or upgraded. That only mildly improved it for a while. Now it's right back to hard shifting in forward. Am I a candidate to take off this back cover? I think it time for me to tear into it. :eek:

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

Harper,
Upper is where all the shifting is done on the Bravo drive. Changing the lower wont help improper shifting.. sorry. I have seen the ball jamed in to the socket from corroision, broken from ??? and anything in between. A look see will tell you. The cap comes off, the oil goes all over, unless you drain it. The ball is mounted in a socket, one spring is in the socket to hold the ball tight and one spring is in the cap/socket to hold the whole thing against the lever that turns the shift rod that moves the cams on the shift fork... If anything is binding.. hard shifting. The gears must be moving inorder for the cone clutch to move and shift into the other gear.. The bearings that mount the shift rod can be damaged or dry. The rod can be bent or galled.. Lots going on here for proper operation. Cables are main concern.. Pull the drive and see what effort it takes to move the shift lever. Should be very little effort required with the drive removed..
Lets see did I miss something.. oh yeah Zahndok.. I would think binding in the shift rod may cause the one way difficult shift.. But a cable could do it too.. Hard to tell without taking it apart..

Hope this helps..

Dick

Re: Bravo 1 shifting problems.
 

Ok ! there was an improved shift fork that merc came out with to fix the problematic earlier ones. I think it came out around 95 or 96, BBB