I had my son (still blame myself) back the boat (1987 Supra Saltare direct drive) into our barn for the winter. The back half of the barn isn't level and he buried the prop in the dirt. The prop guard on the trailer broke off on one side prior to this and was going to be one of our winter repairs. I am kicking myself now for not repairing it sooner. Without checking it he began winterized the boat, part of the winterization he started the boat and put it in drive for 10 seconds. He said that he heard a vibration coming from the drive shaft and later checked to see that the prop was buried in the dirt. To make matters worse he jacked up the front of the trailer to help drain the remaining water out of the boat. When I pulled the boat out this spring and started it there was a large vibration where the shaft connects to the transmission.
Can I pull the prop and put it in drive for a few seconds to see if the vibrations continue? I am assuming if I do this it will tell me for sure if the prop shaft is bent. If the vibrations stop then I will know that I need to recondition the prop. (I will count my lucky stars if it is only the prop) Could it also just be the bushings?
If it is the prop shaft, where is a good place to order a new one? Any other parts I should order while I am at it? Anything else I should check?