Russ is probably right about the size of the key and has given me good ideas on how to go about fixing this problem. I did not know you could move the coupling. I was trying to slide the shaft with the boat in the water, using a hammer and vice grips on the shaft, not an easy task.
Years ago we lost one of the square head bolts. No holes in the head of the hardware store replacement so difficult to wire effectively to the existing bolt. Later lost the key. (Anybody know where these items go when they fall out?) The replacement key may not be the right length. It either slid too far in and disappeared or did not seat properly in the keyway groove.
In 2012 I bought a pack of 5
stainless steel hex drilled head bolts 7/16" x 1 1/2", which are too long, 1" would have been better. I wired SS safety wire though I do not have the tools to do this correctly. Still it lasted five years until this spring. Is it possible using SS bolts is a mistake?
