Driveshaft Carrier Retro / Upgrade

[howie099]

ok, I am thinking about switching my carbon rings over the standard bearing carriers since my pumps are shot and need replacement. I have been reading good things on the stand bearings and want to know if other people have switched or had issues with them. I know there are 2 carriers to choose the larger one or the smaller one. I like the smaller one for the lip to hold the hose on. I don't see why a 717 engine couldn't handle the smaller carrier since the 98' Seadoo's 951's use the small carrier setup. If those engines can use them without trashing them don't see why a 717 can't handle them. The engine produces less HP and doesn't rev as high.

My other makes of PCW use bearing carriers(Polaris SL750 95' & Yamaha 1200GP 97'). I beat those things and I grease them like once a season if that. Both have the OEM carriers and have over 200 hours on them so I don't see why SeaDoo had issues unless people just don't grease them ever. Heck I think I forgot to gease the Yamaha one this year. I rode that baby like 20 hours on vacation with other people driving it and still going.

Back to the Seadoo's. I have located 2 used mid 90's 17" shafts for like $70 for both since my OEM's have 3 groves on them. The boat is 13 years old and I know the carbon rings are orginal. Not sure on the hours of the boat until I get my CandooPro to read it if the computer stores it.

So the cost for the project is right about the same money. The carbon ring setup with new boots is about $200 for 2 and I am looking at about $200 for standard carriers w/2 used drive shafts.

For me I want the system that performs better and holds up. I really don't care if I have to gease them every weekend I take the boat out. It is easier to reach the fittings on the the boat than a ski. I always use Amoil Marine Synthic grease on my watercrafts and Amsoil on every other thing I own.

So I would like other people's 2 cents to the standard carriers.

 

[LouDoo]

First a question then an answer, or at least my opinion. What year and model boat do you have. I'm assuming you have twin 717's.

Personally I would stay with the carbon seal setup. In my opinion the carbon seal setup has proven to be more reliable and certainly more maintenance free than the old carrier bearing system. I personally have 3 ski's and have yet to replace a carbon seal. Also while the carbon seal system is not without its faults, you never hear of one freezing up tearing a hole in the bottom of a boat and the boat sinking. Can't say that for the old carrier system.

I should probably clarify the above a little, I have replaced carbon seal as a maintenance item, ie when I replace a wear ring, but not as a direct cause of cavitation.

* "And that's all I got to say about that."

It's just my opinion, like a**holes, everybody's got one.

Lou

* Forrest Gump, 1985

 

[howie099]

I have a 1998 Sportster 1800 w/2 - 717 engines. I have heard more people having cavitaion issues with 2-Stroke boats with the Carbon Rings than without. Mine is Cavitatin real bad, but my pump vein are all chewed up also. I haven't heard of many people having the issues with PWC, some do with cavitaion and it goes back to Carbon Ring setup. It does look like the boot is most of the time the issue not putting enough pressure on the system.

 

[ocod]

I have both and like the zero maintenance of CS also knowing bearing will never seize causing ski to sink.

 

[howie099]

My boots were kind of dry I had to smack the carbon ring setup with a rubber hammer to move it from the driver shaft some to remove the clips. It is harder hanging over the seat reaching the stuff than standing over it like a ski. You can climb it the engine bay but you don;t have much room to put your feet down and get leverage to do stuff.

 

[howie099]

Sea-doos must be the only ones that have that bearing issue. Never hear of the carrier bearing issues on the other makes. I neglected my Yamaha's and Polairs's and never had a bearing ever seize up.