Cracked Bravo 1 Gimbal Housing

[95chaparral]

Due to a stupid mistake I managed to crack the top of the gimbal housing on my Bravo 1 drive. I have researched many options including replacement parts and welding but there are still concerns. Welding the drive seems like a last resort fix to me and I am worried about the durability. I would like to replace the gimbal housing but I can only find them with gimbal and belhousing included (expensive). Is there a possibility that I can purchase just the gimbal housing by it self for my 95 bravo 1.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Cracked Bravo 1 Gimbal Housing

hello<br /> is this the gimbal housing, the gimbal ring or the transom shield. last one i did was on a bravo 3 and all parts were availible seperatly.

 

[95chaparral]

Re: Cracked Bravo 1 Gimbal Housing

I belive it is the gimble housing. The gimble ring sits within two bearings which is inside of the top and the bottom of the gimble housing. The crack is very slight and I barely noticed that it was there. It resides on what I belive to be the gimble housing where you can find a mercruiser sticker that contains the drive serial # printed on it. If I am incorrect with my part selection please let me know and if anyone could supply a part number for this replacment item it would be beneficial.

 

[Don S]

Re: Cracked Bravo 1 Gimbal Housing

You can go to the dougrussell link below for all the parts break downs and part numbers. In the picture below, #1 is the gimbal housing.dougrussell.com <br /><br />

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Cracked Bravo 1 Gimbal Housing

95 chapparel<br /> nomenclature is the key on this. the merc calls the part that is on the transom a gimbal housing. the part that pivots left and right they call a gimbal ring the part that tilts up and down they call a bell housing. OMC and volvo call them slightly different things.<br /> but ya peaked my curiosity.<br /> I gotta hear the story behind the crack

 

[95chaparral]

Re: Cracked Bravo 1 Gimbal Housing

So you want the story behind the cracked gimbal housing. Here it is. I will try to keep it short but there is much detail that cannot be left out. 1. Sunny day on the Mohawk rivier, Latham, NY. We run aground and cause minor damage to the alum skeg. Installed a stain steel skeg guard and ran out the rest of the summer. 2. Summer has ended in NY and the time has come for winterizing. Hitched up the boat and in an attempt to move the boat from behind the garage to the side of the garage to do my normal maintinence, I made a crital mistake. Bring the drive UP!!!! before you move the boat. Going forward was not a problem but when you attempt to backup to change position and run your drive into the curb while backing up, DAMAGE!!!. Folded the skeg and guard in half and cracked the very top of the gimbal housing. 3a. Drain the water out of your drive when you are done for the season and raise the drive afterwards. 3b. If you F-ed up your boat on your own, leave insurance out of the situation cause it causes us all money in the long run (Thank you for tax returns this year). 3c. Thank you to Chaparral for making a strong transom which did not crack during the accident. 3d. Thank you to all members of the iboats forum who take the time to help friends in need. <br /><br />Thank You again. <br />Nate Hummel<br />Albany, NY

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Cracked Bravo 1 Gimbal Housing

hello<br /> wow<br /> I had a friend that did that with his alpha.<br /> moved the boat to the driveway the night before the big weekend trip. lowerd the drive test ran everything. loaded up the gear and coolers. left at just before daybreak. all was good with the planning other than he forgot to raise the drive.<br /> lucky he called before I was out and he stopped by on his way from chesapeake and I installed my alpha lower so he could go play.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Cracked Bravo 1 Gimbal Housing

you are done for the season and raise the drive afterwards.

BAD Idea....................<br /><br />Leaving the drive in the Up position will Stress the Bellows..........<br />And,<br />There's a Real Possibility that the "Torpedo" can fill with rainwater or snow,+ Freeze..... Splitting the lower case................<br /><br />The Outdrive Down,... Or, Totally Removed is the Only Safe Way to winter store the drive............

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Cracked Bravo 1 Gimbal Housing

95 chaparel<br /> Ill let ya know in a few weeks. sea tow just brought one in with the drive broken off and hanging by the trim hoses and shift cables. its a 30 ft stamas with a bravo II. seems he found a thin spot in the water at oregon inlet. broke the gimbal ring,gimbal housing,bell housing is cracked and the prop shaft is bent. waiting on the insurance adjuster before any wrenches get turned though. hopefully we will do a repower with an 8.1 bravoII set up .