Klinkity, klink...uh oh!

[ninedriver]

So, was out on the lake today with the family, cloudless day, one of three boats on glass 86 degree water, sweet. Fortunately, we were out for a good 5 hours before the following happened. I was towing my wife while she was wake boarding, she hooked the toe edge:-?, I powered down to neutral before turning around to gather her up. When I re-engaged into forward, and began to ease the throttle forward, I heard a klinkity, klinkity, klink from the fwd engine area. That ain't good I said to my kids. I put it back in neutral, coasted back to my wife, shut down the engine and had her get back in. I pulled the back seat out of the way and removed the fiberglass v-drive access cover step. I peeked behind the v-drive and sitting on the bilge were TWO 3/8 x 2 1/4" stainless bolts and TWO stainless nylock nuts. Hmmm, I was pretty sure those belong somewhere. I looked above the suspect hardware at the flange/coupling plate from the prop shaft to the v-drive. Sure enough, there were only 2 nuts and bolts remaining. AND, I would like to say they were finger tight, but they were more like finger loose. Only a few threads holding on each of the two remaining nuts. Fortunately, I was only a couple of hundred yards from the boat ramp and even more fortunately, I carry a small tool kit on board that includes various wrenches and a crescent wrench. I was able to reinstall the awol nuts/bolts and tighten up the other two enough to ease back to the boat ramp.

So, a few questions and concerns.

I'm guessing that maybe due to the heat, elements, vibrations, and rotations that the nylock nuts just wore out/failed. As such, I'll be replacing those with new ones. Thoughts?

And, most importantly, how do the flange pieces fit together. Another words, do I tighten all four nuts/bolts until the two flange halves are flush together? Or is there supposed to be space between the two?

Finally, are these nuts/bolts something you guys check regularly?

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Thanks
Steve

[kaneboats]

You should be re-tighenting these at least annually when you check your engine alignment. You can do a search for Doc's fantastic How To on engine alignment. At this time, because of the wear, you should replace all four of the bolts and nuts (and, of course, do the alignment). I have ridden in at least two boats of other members on here where I have mentioned to them they had slack in their drive train. Both thanked me later after discovering loose coupler bolts. It is something to stay on top of. Maybe check as ofter as you check your fluid levels.

[gus 08 mobius lsv]

I found one of the four bolts loose on mine when I was checking things this spring

[ninedriver]

Pat,

I thought I had replied to this earlier but I guess I didn't. Anyway, thanks for your reply and info. I found the alignment thread and there's lots of great info and instructions on there. I replaced all the hardware and am glad I did. My nylock nuts were obviously toast and I found a bunch of bolt threads to be shot as well. With a bit of time, more patience, and a bunch of beer, I got everything lined up within tolerances. I'm very glad I did it....I'm sure my driveline is as well. I'm not sure if it's a sticky yet but it'd be a good idea to make sure everyone is addressing this regularly. If not checking the alignment, at least make sure nuts and bolts are secure.
Here's the thread:
https://forum.moomba.com/showthread.php?10834-Prop-Shaft-Alignment-Yearly-Maintenance-Item

Thanks again,

Steve

[DOCDRS]

im glad that everything turned out ok , I think its a warning to everyone who reads this thread that at the very least they should check by hand that these nuts and bolts are tight right now if they don't do a yearly or 100 hr alignment check. I think its more necessary on todays vdrives over d drives due to the sacking out and increased stress on everything from surfing and wake boarding compared to slalom and berating on d drives

As a note .... I know its sad but I will be doing this this weekend as my boating season is just beginning this year this weekend

[kaneboats]

The thread linked above is sticky #2 in the HOW TO area. Doc, sorry to hear you are just getting out. Folks will be talking about winterizing in another month.

[deerfield]

Doc, sorry to hear you are just getting out. Folks will be talking about winterizing in another month.

Ah, kane, you DO make me laugh!

[Henner]

Well I had the Klinkity, klink...uh oh this Saturday!!! Mine is a little different so had a couple questions. Had a tube full of little kids excited to spend the day on the lake. Was pulling them and came to neutral to talk to a buddy on another boat. After done talking put boat in gear and Klinkity, klink...uh oh the boat wouldn't move just rev up. Once on dry land I discovered the problem. The four bolts with nylon nuts you guys are discussing were all tight. I found that there is a large set screw on the coupler that had backed out allowing the large nylon nut that holds the coupler to the drive shaft to back out allowing the shaft to just slide out of the coupler. I am ready to put it back together but i am wondering if anyone knows what the large nylon nut to drive shaft torques at?

[mjr119]

Henner, I think I may be experiencing your issue. Where is this set screw?

I had a kinkity klink happen on Sunday. I had a boat load of 10 and pulling a surfer. No ballast. When I pulled up the surfer I heard a loud popping/klink and the boat seemed to lose power. I shut down immediately and felt of the 4 bolts on the shaft. they were still there and seemed to be tight. The boat seemed normal after this but we did go in and drop off a few people to lighten the load.

It felt like a slip, but not like a transmission slip, more of a popping slipping. I dont know.

[Henner]

Here is a picture of coupler and shaft. The set screw is a allen head set screw and visable from the outside. The nut i am needing to know the torque on is inside of the coupler. 22808

[kaneboats]

Call this guy. He'll help you. Great guy!

http://www.elberts.com/system.htm

[Henner]

Thank you Kane, that took 10 seconds. 70 ft lbs

[mjr119]

Could this cause a 1 time slip/pop/disengagement?

[Henner]

MJR this is a first for me, it slipped make a klunk and never worked again. Swam under boat to see what happened and prop was in the Rudder and i could push it back and forth.