Lost All Steering on Bravo 3 Outdrive

[dremison]

I recently came out of idle at a hard right turn, heard and audible pop and lost all steering. The steering is responsive all the way to the transom as I can see it from the inside of the engine compartment.
My out drive is unresponsive to any steering and moves freely by pushing on it in either direction, however.
Got a tow back in, but how do I diagnose this issue?

 

[dremison]

Upon further analysis, the arm that runs into the transom is completely snapped I can wiggle that freely.
What is that and how do I fix it?

 

[dremison]

It’s whatever the part #13 is in this skematic

 

[Lou C]

A lotta work. Engine needs to come out…unless you can fit yourself in that little space….

 

[Fun Times]

This one might be an insurance claim as often the engine may have to come out and depending on how transom was cut out, the transom assembly might have to come off as well.

You’ll have to remove the nut and washer item number 15 and 17 or use a cutout plate at the outside transom to gain access to the nut from JR Marine, https://jrmarine.com/instructions.htm

Also there is a seal in that same general area that probably needs replacing to keep water out as it looks extra corroded in there.

 

[dremison]

That would be nice, but it’s more than 10 years old and won’t be covered. I’m at a bit of a loss here, as cost estimates for this kind of thing vary wildly.

 

[Fun Times]

When it comes to the boat, are you usually a do it yourselfer or seek help where available?
What general area you do reside in?
Sorry to see this happen to you.

 

[04fxdwgi25]

Looking at the arm, it would appear there is a lot of corrosion in there indicating the steering pin / seal are no good also, allowing water to seep by, rotting out the pin and steering arm. Common Bravo problem.

Transom assy should be rebuilt / replaced depending on condition.

 

[dremison]

When it comes to the boat, are you usually a do it yourselfer or seek help where available?
What general area you do reside in?
Sorry to see this happen to you.

I am typically a do it myself guy, but this one is a bit above my pay grade, maybe.
I’m in Stafford, VA.

 

[Scott Danforth]

get an a-frame gantry to pull the motor. if you can turn a wrench, you can do this. (hint - buy the gantry used off craigslist or marketplace, use it, then sell it when done.)

 

[dremison]

get an a-frame gantry to pull the motor. if you can turn a wrench, you can do this. (hint - buy the gantry used off craigslist or marketplace, use it, then sell it when done.)

That’s encouraging. I will start digging around today to see what I can find. Thank you.

 

[dremison]

Looking at the arm, it would appear there is a lot of corrosion in there indicating the steering pin / seal are no good also, allowing water to seep by, rotting out the pin and steering arm. Common Bravo problem.

Transom assy should be rebuilt / replaced depending on condition.

What does a rebuild look like? Do you have a reference or video that you’re partial to? Thank you!

 

[Grub54891]

I've done this repair twice on customers boats without removing the motor. But if the seal area and steering pin need replacing, you will more than likely need to pull the motor if you have to replace the housing itself.

 

[Scott Danforth]

factory service manual would be where I would go for a rebuild

 

[04fxdwgi25]

factory service manual would be where I would go for a rebuild

Quite a few youtube videos on it, also

 

[dremison]

I've done this repair twice on customers boats without removing the motor. But if the seal area and steering pin need replacing, you will more than likely need to pull the motor if you have to replace the housing itself.

What is a good way to diagnose if the pin needs to be replaced?
That is a lot to hope for, but I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
Thank you!

 

[Grub54891]

If it’s loose in the gimbal housing and the gimbal ring is loose and beat up from wear. You will be able to tell when you get the pin unattached from the rest. As suggested, you will be good to have a factory manual.