Driveshaft question

[atthelastminute]

I'm hoping this is a stupid qeustion. I installed my new SEI outdrive over the weekend, and it went on fine, no problems getting the drive to slide all the way in. However inside the boat, the first o-ring on the shaft is still visible. I didn't pay attention to the old one before I took it out of course, so I don't know if this is right or wrong. Is it possible for the u-joints to fold in a way that would make it possible to get the drive on without the driveshaft sliding all the way in? If not, what is the point of the o-ring if it isn't contacting everything?

Thanks,

Steven

 

[Don S]

Re: Driveshaft question

It's just the newer style shaft, you have the old couplers that doesn't have the snout on it with the grease zirk. You don't even need an oring in the groove for your drive.

 

[atthelastminute]

Re: Driveshaft question

Thanks Don, that kept me up a little while last night at bedtime. What seems odd though is that my old drive had that o-ring too, is it possible that I did not have the original drive? No big deal, I just assumed it was original.

Thanks again,

Steven

 

[Don S]

Re: Driveshaft question

That is the shaft that Merc uses now, instead of having one with the groove and one without. Everything else is the same.
If your original one was replaced because the splines were worn, it probably got the new one then. Hard to say why or when.