one seen this before - Hole appeared in Transom shield?

[TerryW]

Hi Folks,

Has anyone a quick fix or do I need to have the transom assembly changed - very expensive in the UK (approx $5000).

[MDR3055]

Both of mine did this, Bravo 2's. When it was out for maintenance my maintenance/repair guy said it is quite common. He cut it out, cleaned up all the corrosion, and installed a piece of stainless over the hole.

[MidnightSun]

Those drives are in salt as can be seen by the barnacles which is the worst place for drives. I have to assume a faulty mercathode system or worn out zincs or a combo of the 2 caused this. Bravo II have a really good reputation and this is definitely not common. That being said, fresh water bravos up here in never corrode, paint gets ugly after 10+ years but no corrosion. Heck the drives on my previous 97 Avanti still look great going on 22 years.

[MidnightSun]

Both of mine did this, Bravo 2's. When it was out for maintenance my maintenance/repair guy said it is quite common. He cut it out, cleaned up all the corrosion, and installed a piece of stainless over the hole.

Your mechanic did you no favours, adding dissimilar metals especially stainless to a drive is asking for even more trouble.

[Nauti_Mike]

JR Marine kit used to replace swivel shaft cuts this area out and has a plate to cover it along with using sealant.

[builderdude]

And the cover plate is in fact stainless

[MDR3055]

The JR kit is basically what my guy did for the repair. They also use a SS plate for the cover. My zincs are kept up by my divers and replaced often. Mercathode is functioning. Thing is, that area is not submerged and sits out of the water. Any small wake, wind wave etc constantly splash up on this area and then dries. It's just a corrosion perfect storm. Had the repair done 3 years ago and still solid. Fingers crossed!

[simo]

JR Marine kit used to replace swivel shaft cuts this area out and has a plate to cover it along with using sealant.

Is there enough "bite" left on the short side of the hole for the JR plate to work?

[Nauti_Mike]

Is there enough "bite" left on the short side of the hole for the JR plate to work?

If I recall the plate in the kit only uses four screw, one in each corner. What you need to check is there enough material around the parameter to compress sealant between the plate and housing. Google the kit and review the instructions to determine for yourself.

[builderdude]

That’s some nasty corrosion. I believe a custom stainless cover plate could buy you some time. Like Mike said you’ll need sufficient material available at the housing to hold the screws. I’d also recommend the use of marine grade urethane as the sealant, not a fan of sillycone in that application.

[TerryW]

Thanks guys. I have a really experienced marine engineer who is going to take a look today. He will advise on whether a cover plate can be done or whether I need to Bring Out Another Thousand.

[builderdude]

It looks like this housing has been hacked on previously, not referring to the threaded plugs on either side but almost looks like it's been smoothed over with some type of filler then repainted in that area.

[Nauti_Mike]

I agree with Dave. Looks like someone was using the Mercruiser kit to replace the swivel shaft and had issues so they opened up the housing then filled it over.

[Norton_Rider]

http://www.jrmarine.com/instructions.htm

[simo]

Hey, I just noticed that the swivel pin has been replaced once before using an alternate method I had done to mine. Check out the plugs on either side of the assembly. Check out the pictures again.