Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly has first and second modular component sections, each of the sections having an outer housing and an inner shaft member. A coupling sleeve having a bore is disposed between the modular component sections and receives the shaft member of each of the component sections. The bore of the coupling sleeve and the shaft members have mating drive shoulders for transmitting torque. An axial tension transmitting shoulder is affixed to the shaft member of the first modular component section and located in the bore of the coupling sleeve. A latch member carried by the shaft member of the second modular component section engages the axial tension transmitting shoulder as the modular components are moved together to secure the shaft members to one another for transferring axial tension from one of the shaft members to the other. A retainer prevents disengagement of the latch member.