I picked up this '91 Sunsation 24x7 last week, and after the first ride, when they pulled it out on the fork lift, the mechanic noticed some shiny metal on the drive and gimbal housing...

Upon inspection it looks like the drive is shifted over to the starboard inside the gimbal housing and was scraping when being trimmed up and down... (pics below)
Right now it no longer looks like its scraping as its probably clearanced itself, but there is .008 when measured with a feeler gauge on the starboard side...
Probably 1/8 inch on the port side.

Little history on the boat...
Its a 454, making around 500HP
The complete transom assy was replaced earlier this year, and was supposedly replaced with a heavier duty unit. On the receipt is only states "Bravo Magnum Transom Bracket"

Not sure if it was a direct replacement or if this is a heavier duty transom... My understanding was, some of these gimbal housings used plastic guide plates in this area, but not all?
Did a stock Bravo 1 drive use these?? and Did they continue to need one on a HD gimbal/transom?
Is there even any kind of alignment when installing the drive into the gimbal/transom??

Either way, why would the drive shift over like this, or would it be un-aligned that it would scrap when being trimmed up/down?


From here what would be recommended?? Is it okay now since there is clearance in there now? Or should I be taking it apart to re-align and/or install plastic guide plates?

Thanks a lot... Chris

From the STBD side looking at the drive...







From the PORT side looking thru the gimble...

My stock 2006 Bravo 1's have plastic guide plates. They were fairly worn down and I just replaced them last year.

Thanks for the reply... How do they bolt on?? Or just clip in place?
I dont see anywhere on the drive or gimble in those areas that have nuts/threads for them?

The drive housing has two small holes about 1/4" in diameter a couple inches apart and the pads just snap in.

Here's a pic of the holes and a wear pad. I don't see the holes in your pic. Maybe there is another type of wear pad or it simply doesn't use them(?)

Had the same issue my pads were completely gone! 20 bucks and they snap right in

i just looked at my boat they look worn.
any one have a part number for them?

MerCruiser p/n 805261A1

This is for a newer Bravo 1. Not sure if earlier years are different.

I doubt your drive shifted. If they replaced the gimbal there could have been some slop at the pivot pins causing the drive to twist excessively under load. A little twisting is normal that's why they make the wear pads.

older bravo ones did not have the plastic strips.i have seen this on the older bravo ones..someone could have left out the shims wherer the hinge pins go through the gimbal ring to the bell housing..

Thanks for the reply man..... I definitely see what your saying... but who the heck would be trimming the motor that far under load?

Thanks as well mrfiixall... if they left out those shims, wouldn't there be some slop or movement in that area?

what do you guys think I should do with this?? do you thinks its something from switching to a heavy duty transom? and am I ok just to run it now as its got clearance in there now and never was guide plates in the older bravos?