All of a sudden my bravo 1 outdrive is very hard to put in reverse, sometime it wont even go in. anybody have any ideas, i know the cabels from the levers to the housing on the back are okay.

How do you know the cable are ok? It is probably the lower shift cable. The only way to check it is to remove the lower unit.

If you need help and have any technical questions on the Bravo drive, then "Mr.Gadgets"/Dick Tryce is an excellent with Bravo One repair/upgrades. His cell phone number is 616-403-1006.

Merc had some issues w the shift cable gaket leaking @ the bell housing allowing water into the shift linkage cavity causing the linkage to rust pull the drive and the rear cover to inspect

Yes but it goes into forward okay

My shift linkage came apart inside the drive, as a little allen head set screw came loose. I don't know what might be your issue, but its not to be taken lightly. I ended up with a complete new drive.

I would pull the back housing off, I will look for a pic
Sounds like the exact same thing I had 2 seasons ago
And the problem was the ball detent plunger was sticking. some moisture had gotten in and pitted the ball and froze it.
No reason to pull the drive to inspect and it is a realitive easy repair.
Hardest thing was finding a deep 12point socket thin enough to go into the opening to remove the cover. I just took a socket and ground it down until it fit

Take it apart and see what it is. You will loose some drive fluid, so have some rags and a refill bottle handy.

Maybe someone on here can post the pics for the access panel to the rear portion of the shift lever.