Combines F2 Diesel Flex Plate

Do not worry about the pilot and shaft. USUAllY the problem is loose motor mount bolts that let the engine move. The shaft will not move therefore the springs come out. Make sure the rubber snubber on the main drive idler is snug and operational. After installation there should be a little slack in the splines. IF not alaign the shaft to be at right angles to the flywheel. The end plate is adjustable.

A very common cause for this plate, called a torsional dampener, to fail is a spun pto bearing on the shaft, so you definitely want to look at the shaft. If that bearing spins on the shaft and starts eating away at it, it puts a bind on the dampener disc absorbed by the springs which takes them out in short order. You need to disassemble the pto shaft and pulley to inspect the shaft and bearing, in addition to looking at the bushing in the flywheel. likely the bushing is also out, but was probably taken out as a result of the engine pto shaft bearing spinning or going out first. Check that, otherwise you'll be replacing these dampener disks yearly.