A warning regarding V-drive

[sldaniels10]

Thanks to you all, yesterday I was able to change my oil/ filter, tranny fluid, and v-drive fluid myself for the first time. Unfortunately the Tige dealer in AZ couldn't stay open in these challenging economic times, so now I'm forced (happily) to do my own maintenance. Can't wait for the new steering cable to arrive so I can install that too.
Anyways, as I was changing the V-drive oil, I noticed that one of the 4 screws from the bracket holding the V-drive in place was loose and in fact had almost fallen out! I then noticed that on the opposite side, I was missing another bolt entirely. I found the missing bolt under my engine. As I tightened up the loose bolt, it became obvious that the 3rd bolt was loose as well. Summary: my V-drive was being held in place by 1 bolt!
Please check all bolts and nuts as part of your annual maintenance. I shutter to think what WOULD have happened while we were out enjoying the lake. Anyone else have this problem or had the V-drive totally disengage? What damage would be done if this were to happen?

[samw]

Hey, thanks for the FYI!!! I do all the maint on my 21 V. I also just replace my steering cable a week ago. . Make sure you replace the cable run it over the tank. I didn't the first time and had to replace the cable again with in three years.

[dougpaper]

Same deal with me i had 1 missing 2 loose ones, so now i have been checking the bolts fairly frequently.

[chpthril]

Re-torquing bolts is a common recommendation by many manufacturers of cars, trucks, boats, etc, that needs to be done in the first couple of service intervals. Yours is not the first I've seen, glad you found it before it caused major damage.