Leak around my direct drive driveshaft

(atropine) · (atropine) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 05-01-2005, 3:57 PM

I noticed Friday that I have a small leak around the driveshaft, inside the boat. It looks lke the driveshaft is bolted to an output plate/shaft that comes out of the transmission. The driveshaft then passes through some sort of housing, which I assume contains some type of bearing/lube. At the top-most portion of this housing, there appears to be a cap that wraps around the driveshaft. Water is leaking around the gap between this cap and the driveshaft. I would assume this is just due to normal wear, and likely just needs some type of seal replaced. Anyone steer me in the right direction in getting this done, such as diagrams, instructions, etc?

(Message edited by atropine on May 01, 2005)

(davidbouvier) · (davidbouvier) **Join Date: Aug 2002** 05-01-2005, 5:24 PM

some packing glands are meant to drip to lubricate the drive shaft. some are adjustable. call a dealer that sells your boat and ask. it is replaceable.

(norcalmalibu) · (norcalmalibu) **Join Date: Jun 2004** 05-01-2005, 6:08 PM

That is normal if you tighten it to where it doesn't leak you will burn the shaft up.

(fox) · (fox) **Join Date: Jul 2002** 05-02-2005, 8:07 AM

You should get a slow drip...probably once every 1-10 seconds. There are two nuts around the shaft. Loosen the first, lock nut, and then tighten the next one down slightly. When it drips the recommended amount, tighten the locking nut back down.

Eric

utskier 05-02-2005, 10:53 AM

Fox is right, it is supposed to drip to keep the shaft lubed. I have heard from my dealer that every 1 to 3 seconds is best. Next time you launch the boat take a wrench that will fit the nuts on the shaft, and like fox said, loosen the first, then tighten down the second until the drip is correct, then tighten the frist back down. It may take several trys to get everything tightened up with the drip still correct because tightening the lock nut down sometimes turns the other nut as well. Do this while your still by the ramp in case something goes wrong, you won't be far from shore. You shouldn't have much trouble though, its pretty simple. I saw some instructions somewhere on the net with pictures and everything when I was doing this for the first time, but I don't know where. You might try google.

zboomer 05-02-2005, 11:23 AM

From Supra's owner's manual:

(atropine) · (atropine) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 05-03-2005, 2:39 AM

THANKS EVERYONE!

(p_e_ski) · (p_e_ski) **Join Date: Jul 2004** 05-03-2005, 3:21 AM

I don't understand the dripping part. Where can I look to see this drip. Where is is it dripping from? where is it dripping to?

(fox) · (fox) **Join Date: Jul 2002** 05-03-2005, 6:58 AM

Right in front of the jam nut. Water forces it's way through the packing (which is just wax impregnated rope) and lubes the shaft to keep it from getting hot, and possible scoring the shaft. Unless you have installed a dripless setup, you should see a little water coming through especially while the motor/shaft are turning.

Eric

(p_e_ski) · (p_e_ski) **Join Date: Jul 2004** 05-03-2005, 5:11 PM

Is this gonna be the same on a Vdrive system?

(breadbutta) · (breadbutta) **Join Date: Dec 2003** 05-04-2005, 1:26 AM

Patt,

Yes, except it is harder to get to.