1200 STX-R - Carrier Bearing Stuck on Driveshaft

[Mikes1200STXR]

Hey Everyone! I am rebuilding my 1200 STX-R...in disassembly, the driveshaft and carrier bearing came out as one piece. The carrier bearing housing does not slide freely on the driveshaft, and it seems too far forward location wise. I need the shaft to slide freely on the bearing for when I align the pump and driveshaft. Any ideas on breaking it loose? Not much room to play with...the bearing and driveshaft spins freely. I did get the circlip out too.

[steve45]

I certainly wouldn't re-use it. The shaft was probably spinning in the bearing, causing it to gall. You might try to heat it, perhaps somebody put some LocTte on it or something.

I'd replace the holder with a Rhaas polyurethane holder.

EDIT: How many hours on that 'Ski? You might consider replacing the engine mounts while you have the engine out. There are only 3 on that engine. Again, I use the Rhaas mounts. Get the stiff ones. There was somebody here that had a problem with the Rhaas mounts a couple of years ago, but I'm sure they got that resolved.

[Mikes1200STXR]

Thanks for the help, I got the shaft and bearing out. Took some persuasion but it came out. I am going to replace the bearing and seals while I have it out. I changed all the mounts with OEM. The driveshaft and carrier bearing are from an 1100 stx with 200 hours (I think). The driveshaft in my ski was seized to both the carrier bearing and the jet pump, I had to cut it out to disassemble it.

I am a little confused on the alignment procedure. Here is how I think it should go:

1. Mount driveshaft and loosely mount carrier bolts
2. Install engine
3. Install jet pump assembly
4. Put a thin (how thin? 1/16"? 1/8") layer of silicone on the backside of the carrier bearing assembly and lightly tighten so as not to squeeze all of the silicone out (do I do any on the 'cone' portion?)
5. The next day, tighten the assembly (snug it down)

Do I have this right?

[steve45]

Yes, that's how I do it, after tightening the engine mount bolts and mounting the pump. I don't know how much silicone I put on. The back plate of the holder is pretty smooth, as is the mounting section of the hull. No sealant on the 'cone'. There is an aluminum piece behind the bearing assembly that can come loose sometimes and leak. Check it to make sure it's solidly attached to the hull.

Does this 'Ski have an electric bilge pump? Now's the time to install one.

[Mikes1200STXR]

Thanks for all your help Steve! Looking forward to getting the ski back together.

It does already have an electric bilge installed ( Rule 500gph Automatic). I have yet to yest that it works. If it does work, does it make sense to delete the factory bilge setup? I have no idea how well that works...certainly it can't compete with the electric bilge. I did a pretty thorough job of cleaning out all the grime and debris from the back of the ski.

[steve45]

LEAVE THE OEM BILGE PUMP! It runs only when the jet pump is spinning. It works quite well when the screen is clean.

The electric is a backup and will run when the engine dies. If you blow a cooling hose, you can't run the engine, but you could still take on water when getting towed in.

Always turn on the electric pump and make sure it works before you go out. I haven't had trouble with the pumps, but I've had trouble with corrosion in the wiring, switches, etc.

[Mikes1200STXR]

Got it...thanks. any tips on cleaning the factory pump screens?

[steve45]

It's just a plastic box with holes in the bottom. Take out the two screws and pull it out.

[smokeysevin]

I think I have a few spare driveshafts if yours is garbo. Replace the rubber holder, even though you can rebuild them, the rubber degrades over time and it will sink your ski fast if it tears.

Sean

[Mikes1200STXR]

Thanks for the offer! I ended up cutting the stock driveshaft at the intake grate (also had to cut the intake grate!) and ended up replacing the intake grate, driveshaft, and transom bracket with parts local off craigslist. I replaced the bearings in the carrier bearing while I had it out. Ski fires up, just a few odds and ends to address.