A method which is used for calculating steady vibration response of shipping propulsion shafting connecting with a coupling with nonlinear hysteresis characteristics are studied. On condition that the nonlinear dynamic stiffness and hysteresis damping of the coupling be considered, on the basis of GLM(Galerki Levenberg Marquard) method, a method called SSGILM(Separate System Galerkin and Improved Levenberg-Marquardt)to be used for calculating steady vibration response of propulsion shafting with local nonlinear dynamic stiffness and hysteresis damping, is proposed. A simple example is given out and the analyses show that it is effective to calculate steady vibration response of the shafting with local nonlinear dynamic stiffness and hysteresis damping by SSGILM method. From initial response values given arbitrarily, the automatic search algorithm in SSGILM method can converge the given initial response values to the response values accorded with required accuracy quickly; nonlinear dynamic stiffness and hysteresis damping of the coupling have different effect on vibration response of the shafting at different range of frequency. At the area of close nature frequency of the shafting ,displacement amplitude of the shafting is bigger. Beyond the range, the characteristics of the coupling have restraint effect on vibration of the shafting.