Is the stainless drive shaft guard essentially the same as the plastic version?

[swaskey]

I've read across the forum & it seems a general consensus is to ditch the shaft guard. However, I have noticed that mostly in regards to the plastic version of this part.

I have an 08' C180 w/ the stainless guard shaft. The drive shaft guard flanges are in poor condition, and the shaft guard was stuck to the drive shaft. Should this be replaced? Or, follow the path of it's predecessor, and remove it entirely? If it's removed, what are the ramifications?

As an aside, the driveshaft itself appears to be in good condition - free of rust/corrosion.

thx

 

[MDH19]

I have a damaged stainless steel shaft guard as well but have not been able to source a new one. Do you have a source for a plastic or stainless steel replacement? My assumption is that the guard provides protection where the shaft penetrates the hull and keeps debris away from that vulnerable location.

 

[C9R0J0]

My 06 doesn't have a guard from the factory and I've never had a problem. Some of these parts are near impossible to find. So I'd run it without and not worry about it. I don't even have an intake grate for similar reasons.

 

[swaskey]

I have a damaged stainless steel shaft guard as well but have not been able to source a new one. Do you have a source for a plastic or stainless steel replacement? My assumption is that the guard provides protection where the shaft penetrates the hull and keeps debris away from that vulnerable location.

I did notice the stainless part seems pretty scarce. I'm quite in-experienced in regards to the driveline here, but doesn't the carbon seal act as this barrier from the water? And that the shaft gaurd is more-or-less a redundancy - protecting the carbon seal?

My 06 doesn't have a guard from the factory and I've never had a problem. Some of these parts are near impossible to find. So I'd run it without and not worry about it. I don't even have an intake grate for similar reasons.

That's interesting the 06 doesn't come w/ a guard. Wonder what caused seadoo to add it. I'll compare the service manuals tonight & see if I can find any differences around the driveline/exit of the hull.

 

[C9R0J0]

The 05/06 had the inlet clearing system. 07 and beyond doesn't. Seems they added the guard when they removed the ICS.

The ICS never worked properly for me so I removed it. That's the reason I'm currently running without a grate.