sksurfing Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 So last week I was out on the water and cruising along pulling my kids on a tube when I noticed some vibration through the steering wheel. I immediately backed off to idle speed and the vibration was terrible. I was in 25' depth, so I knew I didn't hit anything. I tried diving under boat to look at the prop, but all was good. I limped it back to dock and started investigating. My rudder seems to have some play in it, but it is pretty minimal. Not sure whether that's normal or not, but I knew that couldn't be the cause of such vibration. I decided to pull the boat home and had a close look last night. The prop shaft was actually moving in the coupler, so I removed the couple to see what was going on. My prop shaft has actually cracked right from the edge of the key way up to where the threads start. Looks like I am going to need a new shaft and coupler. Is this a common problem, or am I just unlucky. My boat has about 48hrs on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidnightMax Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Some play in the rudder is normal.. cracked prop shaft is not normal. Mucker626 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsmobiledriver Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Call Jeff at TXMC he has a guy special make them for the boats with this issue. allzway 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sksurfing Posted July 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 I'm in the process of talking with my dealer. Sounds like it is covered under warranty. Hopefully I won't be down for too long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsmobiledriver Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Tell them not to put the same scrappy one back in it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sksurfing Posted July 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 Been waiting for almost a week for a response from the dealer on whether they are sending me a replacement shaft and coupler. I imagine it will take another week for them to ship it. Meanwhile we are having some of the best weather of our short summer, and I am sitting on the shore. I called directly to MB to get an update and they said they would look into it and report back to my dealer. Feels like a runaround to me. My love for my boat and MB is fading a bit over this. Anybody have a contact at MB that could help me get an answer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsmobiledriver Posted July 21, 2015 Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 I'd call them twice a day until they make something happen! This isn't new to them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxvet Posted July 21, 2015 Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 Been waiting for almost a week for a response from the dealer on whether they are sending me a replacement shaft and coupler. I imagine it will take another week for them to ship it. Meanwhile we are having some of the best weather of our short summer, and I am sitting on the shore. I called directly to MB to get an update and they said they would look into it and report back to my dealer. Feels like a runaround to me. My love for my boat and MB is fading a bit over this. Anybody have a contact at MB that could help me get an answer? this really sucks. I just had mine break on Sunday as well. going thru the same thing now. Also with such a short summer here in CO, having any boat problems makes you question if its really worth it. BTW, I told my local dealer to just order the parts, not to wait for MB to decide. Sort it out later. We'll see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sksurfing Posted July 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2015 Any idea on the cost for a new shaft and coupler? I might just order and sort it out later too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsmobiledriver Posted July 22, 2015 Report Share Posted July 22, 2015 Shaft was either 385 or 485 I don't remember, call Jeff at Texas Mastercraft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxvet Posted July 22, 2015 Report Share Posted July 22, 2015 this is where TXMC gets them from... http://www.elberts.com/system.htm They supply shafts to MB and are suggesting a flexible coupler. Quoted $300, but they sell them a little less to boat shops. oldsmobiledriver 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsmobiledriver Posted July 22, 2015 Report Share Posted July 22, 2015 That's the one! ^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sksurfing Posted July 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2015 I called Elbert's this morning and ordered a flexible coupling, coupler, and new shaft. $310 USD for everything + $180 shipping so I can have it tomorrow. And after I ordered it, my dealer phones to say they will send parts out today. Lol Looks like I'm going to have a spare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsmobiledriver Posted July 22, 2015 Report Share Posted July 22, 2015 Lol someone might need it in a pinch off you someday!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxvet Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 Got the shaft replaced. flexible coupler from Elberts is butter smooth now. allzway 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsmobiledriver Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 Flexible coupling? No more engine alignments? Can you snap a pic of this mystery piece? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sksurfing Posted July 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 Got my parts at 5pm on Friday afternoon. I installed them that evening and arrived at my lake at midnight. Woke up early to put my boat in the water, but it wouldn't start. Long story short, I needed 2 new batteries. The good news is that I am now back up and running. No thanks to MB or my dealer, as they are still arranging to get parts to me. Too Late Fellas!!!!! I agree about the flexible coupling..........a noticeable improvement in how smooth the boat feels now. It's a bit more work to install, but well worth it. As for alignment, Cecil at Elbert's told me you can have as much as 0.009" of misalignment with it. As opposed to the suggested 0.003" with the regular coupling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxvet Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 Yep, we probably had overlapping phone calls! How long did it take to swap out? I contemplated doing it myself. Dealer said it took all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsmobiledriver Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 Interesting! So you must buy a special length shaft to go with it. I was hoping for something cool I could use with mine but my coupler is on the front side of the v drive and would pull my shaft in, not push it out if you will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxvet Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 1" shorter drive shaft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sksurfing Posted July 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2015 If it took the dealer all day, then I would say they need a new boat mechanic. I removed my cracked shaft in 1 hr and installed my new shaft, coupler, and flexible coupling in 2 hrs by myself. I will say that it was a huge pain in the butt without a second person, as you really need to have someone outside the boat pulling back on the shaft for clearance. I got creative and managed. With a second person I'm sure I could have installed it in a little over 1 hr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxvet Posted July 28, 2015 Report Share Posted July 28, 2015 If it took the dealer all day, then I would say they need a new boat mechanic. I removed my cracked shaft in 1 hr and installed my new shaft, coupler, and flexible coupling in 2 hrs by myself. I will say that it was a huge pain in the butt without a second person, as you really need to have someone outside the boat pulling back on the shaft for clearance. I got creative and managed. With a second person I'm sure I could have installed it in a little over 1 hr. good to know. I generally try to do as much as I can, but really wanted to get MB to warranty it this. BTW, nice boat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsmobiledriver Posted July 28, 2015 Report Share Posted July 28, 2015 I do like those colors!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sksurfing Posted July 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2015 Lol...........that's funny. Your pic threw me off for a second. I like your white trailer with black rims. Looks sharp!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cody9900 Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 Just had all the same stuff happen to me .. Ceicel was great to deal with. Called mb and they told me to get lost pretty much .. Not impressed .. But Elbert's has great service Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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