U-Joint/Driveshaft Inquiry

[LuckyEddie]

Greetings,

I notice that I have some slop where the U-Joint assembly fits onto the splined end of the driveshaft. Is this one of those "oh crap" moments or is this normal?

[3Phase]

It depends, Eddie, but you should start looking around for another u-joint assembly. The u-joint assembly is cast iron and the driveshaft is super-hardened steel. You're not going to hurt the driveshaft but the u-joint assembly will strip or break if the splines get too loose.


Regards,

Scott

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Eddie,

Scott knows his stuff. But I was wondering if your driveshaft is being fitted all the way into the Ujoint fitting?? The compression "C" ring on the end of the driveshaft can be hard to compress when you are putting the driveshaft back into the U-joint, takes a decent thump with a rubber mallet or such to drive the end of the shaft "HOME" down deep inside the U-joint. IF it isn't seated properly, then it will seem loose and wobble about in the end of the U-joint! IF you can easily pull the driveshaft back OUT of the U-joint, then it's NOT pressed all the way in past that ridge that compresses the "C" ring!
T.C.

[3Phase]

Sorry, Eddie, I was a little distracted and I assumed you had the rear wheel off the bike but -- what T.C. said!

If the yoke is all the way down on the driveshaft and over the c-clip, the yoke should not wobble. You shouldn't be able to turn the driveshaft in the yoke (clockwise/counterclockwise) at all. If it's more than a couple of thousandths of an inch you need a replacement. If the yoke is okay, get some Honda "Moly 60 Paste" and lightly paint it on the splines of the driveshaft and yoke, then finish up with some regular moly grease.

The grease fitting on the lower end of the swingarm is a cruel joke at best. Don't use it. It won't allow any grease to penetrate to the driveshaft/coupler splines where it needs to go. If you haven't removed the rear wheel and checked the driveshaft and final drive coupler, do it and do the same thing to the splines and coupler at the final drive.


Regards,

Scott

[LuckyEddie]

It is not out of the bike at the moment. I noticed this when putting the motor back in and thought it prudent to inquire about it.
Thanks for the tips. I will have at it and make things right.

[3Phase]

It is not out of the bike at the moment. I noticed this when putting the motor back in and thought it prudent to inquire about it.
Thanks for the tips. I will have at it and make things right.

Good idea! Ken Talbot wrote a Tech Tip and it's on site here:-


Greasing the Driveshaft Splines.

It has pictures and it explains what to check.


Regards,

Scott

[LuckyEddie]

I recieved another u-joint from Andreas and installed it last night. It fits like a glove.

[cywelchjr]

Hey guys, I wondering, is the problem with the grease fitting with where it is or with the fact that the grease can't get into the splines with the shaft assembled? If it's the first, could you not reposition the fitting to put the grease where it would do some good? I know there might be an issue with clearance where it needs to go (internally) but that could probably be handled by welding a small bung where you want the fitting to go.

[DiverRay]

Hey guys, I wondering, is the problem with the grease fitting with where it is or with the fact that the grease can't get into the splines with the shaft assembled?

It is a design problem. Once the drive shaft is connected to the final drive, you CANNOT get any grease into it! It's very easy to pull the four nuts and the final drive off to grease the splines when you change the rear tire.

[MindWebs]

timing interval

Yes, i'm sure a person could cut a hole in the outer shield,
weld on threads for a bung.
Drill the shaft(not the greatest plan)
and thread the shaft for a grease zirk.

but the you would still have to take the bung out have the bike on the
center stand, and turn the rear wheel to find your zirk.

Not saying it can't be done, or shouldn't be done..

i'm just questioning the fact that, it really only needs to be done now and again, NOT once a week.(normally)