Cause of Drive Shaft breaking underway?

[jcaesar625]

I have a 1999 Johnson Ocean Pro 225. I had the lower end unit built after reverse wasn’t always engaging. Replaced the forward gears, reverse gears, pinion, clutch dog, etc. I had it out on its 4th trip this weekend since the rebuild, and while it we were running about 20 knts in < 1ft seas, it acted like it just popped out of gear. No loud noises, engine just rev’d really high, and we weren’t going anywhere. Couldn’t go forward or reverse. I actually thought I spun a prop. Got towed back to the dock (thank god for Sea Tow), and it was apparent there was nothing wrong with the prop. I had my mechanic look at it the next day. It wouldn’t shift into forward or reverse gear. The helm controls would move, but he said it wasn’t engaging. He tried shifting it by hand at the engine, and the shift lever would move, but still not engage. He removed the lower unit today to take it to the shop that rebuilt it, and he said I had a busted lower drive shaft. The shop that rebuilt it said that I HAD to hit something. We definitely did not hit anything that I’m aware of. I think we would of heard it? Anyone know what could have caused it? Could the lower unit not being installed back right by the Mechanic caused it?

Secondly, would this be covered by insurance?

Thanks.

[pete]

If there is no damage to the prop,you didnt hit anything,those OMC driveshafts are notoriously crappy,did he use all new parts for the rebuild?Even if you did hit something the prop hup should have absorbed the impact,the lower unit shop needs to repair that lower unit,stand behind their work,your mechanic should be able to tell them wheather or not you hit something by looking at your prop/skeg.Even if you did hit some thing it shouldnt break,the prop and hub should take the force.good luck

[jcaesar625]

Yeah definitely no damage to the prop or hub. He did use all new parts. I saw them before they went on. I didn’t have him replace the drive shaft, just the gear set. Doesn’t sound like anything that was his fought. He feels bad about it. He says that If I put a new lower unit on it, he’ll do it at this cost, which is $725, versus $600 for him to replace the drive shaft.

[pete]

well IMHO he should have replaced the drive shaft while rebuilding your LU,$600 for a new unit is not bad,but then he gets your old one to fix and resell?not cool.these tech know those drive shafts are questionable he should have told you to replace it during the rebuild.he needs to cut you a better deal,by do these guys have us over a barrel or what?!

[John Jones]

Insurance probably will pay if you claim you hit something.

[jcaesar625]

well IMHO he should have replaced the drive shaft while rebuilding your LU,$600 for a new unit is not bad,but then he gets your old one to fix and resell?not cool.these tech know those drive shafts are questionable he should have told you to replace it during the rebuild.he needs to cut you a better deal,by do these guys have us over a barrel or what?!

To be honest he suggested I replace everything last time and I guess I tried to get away with the minimum. Lessoned learned. He is giving me back the old unit. He said my gear sets are still mint, so at least I might get a couple hundred bucks for the gear set on eBay.

[wingtime]

get a look at the broken shaft if you can.  I'll bet there had to be a defect in the shaft causing a stress riser or something.  If the rebuilder nicked the shaft that could cause some trouble.   Close examination might even show beach marks indicating it was cracked before breaking.