How much play in drive shaft/engine coupler?

[MN86_4winns]

I just removed the u-joints for replacement and cleaned up my drive shaft on my alpha one. I also cleaned up the engine coupler, the spline grease had hardened. After cleaning, I dry fitted the drive shaft into the coupler and I noticed quite a bit of play. The splines on the shaft don't appear to be worn. Is it common for the splines in the coupler to wear?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: How much play in drive shaft/engine coupler?

Yes,it happens. Did the splines on the drive shaft look kind of pointed?
They do wear more than you would think.
I don't believe there should be much side to side play at all..
One cause of wear is improper drive alignment.

 

[Zackman]

Re: How much play in drive shaft/engine coupler?

The other cause of excessive spline wear is the lack of grease or the use of improper grease.... It's a tough service and is often over looked or under appreciated.

 

[Bondo]

Re: How much play in drive shaft/engine coupler?

The splines on the shaft don't appear to be worn. Is it common for the splines in the coupler to wear?

Ayuh,....... I Agree with these Guys,.....

It only takes Alittle Bit of Wear on the Shaft,+ Alittle Bit of Wear in the Coupler,......
It Adds up to Alot.....

I'm a Trolling Fisherman,.... Which is as Tough as it gets on those Splines......
My drive is showing early signs of Wear now at about 700hrs......
But, that's with Good Maintance,+ Grease......

When Both are New,....... There's Little to No play in them,.....
How Far Gone your's is, could Only be a Guess........

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: How much play in drive shaft/engine coupler?

Replace the coupler now before it cost you another motor pull to get to that (what is now) cheap replaceable part.