Lubricate shaft splines? Dealer says required maintenance

[Coryd]

Hey guys, maybe I'm missing something but do any of you pull the pumps and impeller shafts to lubricate the shaft splines as part of regular maintenance? I searched through the forums and couldn't find anything about it, aside from those who have replaced impellers. I have done all the maintenance on the boat myself up to this point (2018 AR210 with 150 hrs) per the checklist in the owner's manual. I'm having my bimini top (canvas torn, frame bent) and display screen (delaminating) replaced under warranty and the service advisor asked if I've been doing my own maintenance. I told him what I have done up to this point, according to the manual, and he asked if I had lubricated the bearing housing and shaft splines at 100 hrs. I said I did shoot some grease into the intermediate housing, via zerks behind the engines, but was a bit confused on where lubricating the shaft splines was stated on the maintenance checklist. He said the only way to lubricate this is to remove the pumps and pull the shafts out, which they charge $120 to do. I don't have access to a service manual so not sure if it's listed there but with all the knowledge in this group, I figured someone would know if this is actually required maintenance or the dealer just trying to squeeze $120 out of me. Thanks in advance.

 

[Scottintexas]

I don't know the official maintenance schedule for your boat,

I do know pulling your pumps and lubing the splines is probably a 30 minute job on each side, very easy and a novice boater should be able to do it,

I do know a tremendous amount of members NEVER do this and I don't think we've ever seen a problem from someone not lubricating the splines (although we did have one member have to hook his pump up with a strap to his jeep to remove it, but that was a rare instance),

I put some grease on my splines when I removed my shafts last year but went 8 years without touching them and they slid right out,

.

 

[Scottintexas]

If time or money isn't an issue, I wouldn't pay them to do it,
if you've never removed your pumps it's a good way for you to get familiar with them in the off chance you ever pick up a pebble in your buckets or get some debri in the pump and you'll have experience on your side to fix it on the water or at the ramp,

.

 

[Coryd]

If time or money isn't an issue, I wouldn't pay them to do it,
if you've never removed your pumps it's a good way for you to get familiar with them in the off chance you ever pick up a pebble in your buckets or get some debri in the pump and you'll have experience on your side to fix it on the water or at the ramp,

.

Thanks, appreciate the insight. Time and money aren't issues, just trying to determine if it's worth spending the $120. I think the dealer made it sound more complicated than it actually is (big surprise there). But he did say it's like a 15 minute job for them on each side. I've watched a few videos on pulling the pumps, definitely doesn't look complicated. Does it take the regular marine grease like the bearing housings or some other special lubricant?

 

[Scottintexas]

I was going to check my 2007 maintenance manual for what type of grease it specifies but,,,

I couldn't find either in the periodic inspection and adjustment section or the jet pump breakdown specifying that any grease is needed on those splines,

I think it's a good idea and I would think anything is better than none and marine is better than regular,

If some one finds it in their manual please update this as I'm curious if I just missed it or it's really not there,


.

 

[Jeel]

I had a 06 SR 210 for 12 years , used in salt water only , i never removed pump or impeller , however , i did spray silicone spray often into the pump area and it was always rinsed with fresh water after each use. Boat had 280 hours on it when i sold it and even still had the original throttle and steering cables

 

[KevJul2019]

I had a 06 SR 210 for 12 years , used in salt water only , i never removed pump or impeller , however , i did spray silicone spray often into the pump area and it was always rinsed with fresh water after each use. Boat had 280 hours on it when i sold it and even still had the original throttle and steering cables

You never used your boat.

 

[Jeel]

You never used your boat.

Its an average of 23 hours per year , if i went out 20 times a year , drove it a half hour or 45 minutes to a spot to hang out for a few hours and then drive back or do some tubing or skiing on the way back its a good day ....how many hours do you put on in a year ? Just curious

 

[Gym]

I agree with the theory that this is a good, easy way to get intimate with your jet drives. Only requires disconnecting a couple of control cables and removing 4 bolts. Dealer, $120. Experrience, priceless.

 

[Beachbummer]

I agree this is best done on your own and save the $120.

 

[Weeb]

If time or money isn't an issue, I wouldn't pay them to do it,
if you've never removed your pumps it's a good way for you to get familiar with them in the off chance you ever pick up a pebble in your buckets or get some debri in the pump and you'll have experience on your side to fix it on the water or at the ramp,

.

Can you remove the pumps in the water without getting water into where the shaft goes?

 

[GiddYupJoe]

Can you remove the pumps in the water without getting water into where the shaft goes?

Big No!

 

[Ratket]

Can you remove the pumps in the water without getting water into where the shaft goes?

Sun shade out...
Chest deep water..
Beer in the cup holder..
Ya we know where you are going with this....

 

[Ronnie]

I’ve seen the type of grease specified somewhere, maybe my boats shop manual. I will check when I get home. I recall putting some on when I pull nd reinstall the pumps/impellers but don’t do so as part of regular maintenance.

 

[Beachbummer]

My humble opinion... The most important property of the grease on this application is how waterproof it is.

Get the most water resistant grease you can get a hold off... That's the one.

 

[GiddYupJoe]

I’ve seen the type of grease specified somewhere, maybe my boats shop manual. I will check when I get home. I recall putting some on when I pull nd reinstall the pumps/impellers but don’t do so as part of regular maintenance.

@Ronnie was it called Molly grease? For some reason that is what’s sticking in my head from when I pulled my pumps.

 

[Weeb]

Big No!

That’s what I thought until I read his post.

 

[Ronnie]

@GiddYupJoe , I looked in both my owners and shop manuals and could not find any references to the lubricant nor did I see anything that indicated the splines should be lubed at all. Now I think I put grease on because when I pulled the pumps initially there was grease on the splines. It seems help make reinstallation a little easier and seems like a good idea to help prevent possible water intrusion. Assuming it’s not causing any damage I will continue to put grease on the splines when I remove and reinstall the pumps but again won’t do so as part of recurring maintenance.

 

[Coryd]

I appreciate everyone's insight on this. Sounds like nobody has heard of this being a regular maintenance item but can't hurt to pull the pumps and add some grease to the splines, even if just for the exercise of familiarizing myself with how to pull the pumps. I have some Yamaha marine grease A that I've used for other maintenance items so I'll use that unless anyone knows of something different that should be used. If anyone has access to a 2018 service manual, I'd be interested to see if this specific item is listed in there as a maintenance check.

 

[dlkhmk]

Not sure if this would be the same for your boat, but in the FSH 190 service manual there is no indication of this being a routine maintenance item.

Under the jet pump removal section there is an indication that (M) molybdenum disulfide grease is used on the splines prior to being reinstalled.

Why they recommend (M) grease and not (A) grease?????

Tube of Yamaha moly grease is $5.00

see attached

hope this helps