break up so bad that it stops/seizes the motor with a loud bang .. and makes it sound like theres rocks boucing around in there trying to restart?

That`s what happened to me. Two hours later..after getting it home, I could only duplicate the noise once. Thought for sure it was a rod knock but motor runs fine now.

Trying to figure out what such loud noise could be if not motor internals..

Take the outdrive off and start it on a hose. Then you can look at the u-joints and see if they are bad. Also check the gimble bearing.

It could have seized, locked up and spun the coupler??

I would spend 10 minutes pulling the drive off and then you'll know for sure.

It`s going in for bellows replacements so I guess it may even be a good time for it to break.. lol

Saw your post in the AT section and thought of a drive failure since the motor runs OK now. Looks like your on top of it.

Depending on how old your drive is determines how much you can be Phucked by a gimble bearing, On older bravos there have been cases where the gimble bearing failed and broke off the whole section that it fits into, Boss's and all leaving a gaping hole big enough to suck up a full sized beach towel and spit it in the bilge (ax me how I know) I think it's worth the money to change it at least every other year whether you think it's bad or not.