What keeps the water out of ...
 

the u-joint, drive shaft area of a Bravo drive? Never thought about it until now, but I don't think there is a gasket or o-ring on the outdrive that seals that area. When a drive is installed we put a new o-ring on the water intake, shift cable, and lube monitor, but what seals the drive itself to the bell housing?

Hopefully you have a "drive bellows" in there somewhere!...

Of course there is a drive bellows in there. Backup a couple of inches from the bellows, where the metal upper gear case meets the metal bell housing. There is not a gasket in that area.

It seals on the edge of the bellows

Mbam - thanks for the reply. That makes sense.

I know I can see an imprint on the end of the bellows from the drive. I have never heard of changing a bellows that is not torn because it does not seal properly to the installed drive - must not be an issue??

it is an issue if that seal is not made at the end of the bellows it will let water in to the gimbal, if you can see a imprint that doesnt go away its probley no good, too old, just like a old oring, had the same problem on a 88 w bravos,