Driveshaft Replacement

[a012331]

I have a 99 22i. I took it in for a tune up and the shop is saying i need to replace the driveshaft and strut. The mechanic quoted me anywhere from $1500-$2000. Has anyone had to have this done? Does that seem right? It would seem like this shouldn't be that hard. If i wanted to do it myself does anyone know where i could order parts? Thanks

[NICKYPOO]

Is the shaft bent? Have you ever hit anything with it?

It seems kind of strange that it was found during routine maintenance.

I've never had an issue in my boat. I would imagine the hard part would be the strut.

Where are you located? Maybe someone on here has experience with that particular dealer and would be able to comment on if they are on the up and up. You never know.

[a012331]

I bought the boat last year and haven't hit anything. The mechanic shop said that it looks like the previous owner probably did because the shaft is slightly bent. He said it isn't mandatory to fix it now but would need to soon before it causes anymore damage. He said i would notice it pulling a slalom skier and with a full boat. I couldn't get my dad out of the water when we went to some of the higher elevation lakes. I live in Utah so the season is over and am just trying to figure out what to do before the next season.

[dom w. forte]

I bought the boat last year and haven't hit anything. The mechanic shop said that it looks like the previous owner probably did because the shaft is slightly bent. He said it isn't mandatory to fix it now but would need to soon before it causes anymore damage. He said i would notice it pulling a slalom skier and with a full boat. I couldn't get my dad out of the water when we went to some of the higher elevation lakes. I live in Utah so the season is over and am just trying to figure out what to do before the next season.

Were you experincing any vibration?

[NICKYPOO]

I couldn't get my dad out of the water when we went to some of the higher elevation lakes.

That just sounds like you need a different prop. You're going to loose power at high elevations because of the lack of oxygen. The correct prop will make a huge difference.

[a012331]

If i load a lot of people on the tube, if the boat is full, or if i'm pulling a slalom skier i get vibrations. I understand the elevation seriously affects the way the boat runs but its a ski boat i figured it wouldn't have problems pulling a skier. My fathers 1988 Four Winns pulls him right up at the higher elevations(It has an old 350 pushing maybe 250 HP). This is my first ski boat so i am just frustrated with the problems i have been having. I am looking into getting an Acme prop but not if i have to drop $2000 this year on repairs. Thanks for the Info.

[Timmy!]

I think the shaft should only be like $300-$400.

[IDBoating]

Were you experincing any vibration?

Jumping in here... We felt vibration on our new 24Ve when we put it in the water for two days after getting it home. This was 100% repeatable under the following conditions:

* Five or more people in the boat
* Accelerating from a dead stop at WOT

It would stop after the boat picked up some speed, or if I backed off the throttle.

At the time, I attributed this to the gain in elevation (+2500 feet) and the associated improper prop (537 vs. Acme's recommendation of the 1235 for this hull and this engine at this altitude). Someone else suggested that all inboards do this under hard acceleration because the prop wash interacts with the rudder. This is my first inboard so I don't know if there's any truth to that or not.

I'll be moving to the 1235 prop in the Spring, and hopefully that will eliminate the vibration. I can say it was very disconcerting to feel vibration like that on its first day in my lake.

[JUST-IN-TIME]

all you need to do it put a dial gauge on the coupler when its off the v-drive