Please note that the PICTURE UPLOAD function is not working. The iBoats Forum Moderators are working with the system administration folks at the parent company to get the issue resolved. This happened about a year ago and here we are again. In the meantime you can post photos as links to a picture hosting site of your choice. We are sorry about the inconvenience and will advise when the issue is resolved. Thank you for your patience.
I have the DP-SM with the 'non-servicable' driveshaft. I'm not certain if you're is identical, but I found this link on iboats (https://forums.iboats.com/forum/eng...ives/376326-grrrrrrrrr-wrong-universal-spyder) that provided the sierra part 18-6406 and besides being a total PITA to install, they worked like a champ with no vibration whatsoever.
There's a picture in the thread that shows the difference between the two.
I should clarify my statement about it being a PITA - it was no more difficult than a regular cardan u-joint except for the last one that you have to wrestle the entire lower unit to get it in a position where you can tap the caps in. If you're familiar with the process of juggling the spider and end caps (and avoiding spilling needle bearings everywhere) its a straight forward procedure.
i hate being the bearer of bad news, but you can't tell the condition of the u-joints upon visual inspection. You can tell if they're smooth and non-binding, but I've heard of folks on here say their u-joints were smooth as silk and chased a noise until they finally replaced them.
Since you already have the drives apart, you might as well replace them both. its not a matter of if they'll wear out, but simply a matter of when.