Reasonable $$$ for winterizing and maint

E

EdFitz

Member
exMember
Joined
Nov 15, 2011
RO Number
32779
Messages
252
I have never removed my bravo 3 drive which is connected to a 5.0L carb'd Mercruiser. This year, I started to hear some growling when hard over in a tight turn, and I'm starting to get more water in the bilge than normal (we trailer to and from, so the boat is not always in the water).

I've always winterized myself, but want to take it to the local boat yard for the extra service of pulling the drive, inspecting the gimbal bearing, U-Joints, and bellows. They want to charge $210 for the winterization, and $155 to pull the drive and inspect.

Seem reasonable?
 
The numbers seem reasonable to me. However, even assuming that everything is fine, you will incur costs to refill the drive.

I would suggest that you get a price on a full drive service before they take it apart but plan on replacing the bellows at a minimum. If the gimbal bearing is shot (which it likely is if water has gotten in)you are likely looking at a few hundred for the part alone.
 
If you have the ability (manuals are your friend!) and the facility to do it yourself, I would recommend you do so. IMHO, you are looking at close to a grand including labor when all is said and done. Additionally, you get to inspect and R/R everything associated with the drive as you see fit (eg. cables, tilt switches.....)
 
Seems like a lot to winterize one motor depending on what is included (oil and filter change? fuel filter change? etc), but I hate working on drives so would probably pay for that.
 
quote:
Originally posted by mintregila

The numbers seem reasonable to me. However, even assuming that everything is fine, you will incur costs to refill the drive.

I would suggest that you get a price on a full drive service before they take it apart but plan on replacing the bellows at a minimum. If the gimbal bearing is shot (which it likely is if water has gotten in)you are likely looking at a few hundred for the part alone.

Click to expand...


...and if the gimbal bearing is shot due to corrosion, it's likely going to be a beast to remove. Heavy slide hammer and lots of bad words involved in removing those things when they don't want to be removed.
 
Why not winterize the engine yourself, and let them do the outdrive service?
 
When I asked about just having the "extra" service (their term for drive removal, inspection and greasing), he kinda looked at me weird like. He didn't have a price for just the extra service. It's an add-on to the standard winterization price.

Quite frankly, after doing it myself all these years, it might be nice to let someone else do it for me.
 
In NJ we would pull the drive and store inside every year. First reason was to prevent it from walking away.

The normal maintenance routine included pressure and vacuum test, greasing the gimble, splines and zerks, replace oil.

Since your drive has never been off, and if you plan on not taking it off for a few years, I would replace at least the shift cable and boot

I used to do this all myself with a Bravo I, not sure I would even attempt to lift a Bravo III by myself. My yard had a specail carriage for the outdrive that lifted it on and off
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top