John no ,chance, I have rubber grommets over the threaded bar, then a washer and a lock nut, nuts were finger tight, believe I have fitted plenty of motors in the past and have never seen damage like this before.
Neither had the guy's at Woodbridge, new motor from them is running perfect, ran it for half hour, without loading, then connected everything up.
Cheers Tony, I will use that as backup if there is a prob with them.