Prop shaft loose, how can I fix it?

[Boardpower]

Out on the water last night, started her up after hours on the water and put it in gear......no movement. The rpm's would go up, however no movement. I got under the swim deck and could feel the prop touching the rudder, I put my feet on the prop and pushed the prop shaft back into the v drive. Got back in the boat and drove back to the trailer. Once I got her out of the water, I grabbed the prop and could wiggle the prop shaft loose again.

Any ideas on how to solve this? What would cause this?

[ttu]

sounds like the shaft came loose from the coupler or bolts on the coupler broke.

[Boardpower]

On a 2008 x45, do you know how to access and check?

[ttu]

Originally Posted by Boardpower

On a 2008 x45, do you know how to access and check?

look right behind the vdrive where the prop shaft would connect to the tranny. my bet is a bolt got sheared off.

hopefully some others will chime in and help.

[jmw]

It sounds like the shaft nut at the transmission came off. Look at the front of the engine/transmission and you should see a round coupler with the prop shaft coming throught it. The nut is usually held on with a cotter key but since it's usually hard to get off someone may not have replaced it. Look around in the bottom of teh boat and I bet you will find the nut and put it back on with a cotter key... It's possible you sheared off the bolts holding the coupler or the nuts came off the bolts holding the coupler but that would be almost impossible because there are 4 bolts that hold the shaft coupler to the transmission. Since it's one nut on the shaft that makes the most since and should be a cheap, easy and simple fix. Good luck. Someone will probably post a pic if you need it.

[Boardpower]

I am able to see a red boot/sleeve with 4 champs around it and able to feel the prop shaft move, however I do not see/feel a nut or a cotter key. Not even sure that i would be able to get a tool in that tight space if could see the nut. Any last words before I take her into MC?

[FrankSchwab]

It sounds like you're looking at the shaft seal, which is mounted on the hull of the boat where the propshaft comes through.

You need to get to the transmission - which is attached on the bow end of the engine. On mine, if I pull the rear seat and the cooler insert under it, I can see the transmission, and where the propshaft is attached to the bow side of the transmission.

/frank

[Boardpower]

Tooooo easy, found it. I will send out a photo of the before/after. Next thing, I'm not able to find the nut / cotter key. Can i just get a machine threaded nut from the local hardware store? Do I need to add a washer between the nut and 4 bolt coupler?

[-V-]

mine didn't have a washer, just the nut.

[jmw]

The nut has to be there, it likely bounced to the back of the boat or is hung up around a bilge pump etc but yes you can purchase the nut from a hardware store just make sure you get one with nylon to prevent it from backing off again.