UJ joint removal

[James England]

Is it supposed to be possible to remove the UJ joint from the drive shaft without removing the swinging arm? Or the middle gearbox?

Having greased my spare UJ joint, I thought I'd do the one on the bike. I've read that it might be easier to drain and remove the middle gearbox, rather than remove the swinging arm.......but is it possible to avoid either of these?

Any advice, anyone?

[DiverRay]

You will need to remove one or the other. No room for anything else.

[James England]

You will need to remove one or the other. No room for anything else.

I thought someone would say that. I'll take the swinging arm off and renew the bearings while I'm at it.........

[DiverRay]

I just thought about it. IF you pulled the final drive and drive shaft, you MAY be able to squeeze the u-joint out. Problem is the rubber over the joint. I would think you would tear it trying.

[kitt04]

I tried it once and I tore the boot

[James England]

Thanks for that, folks. I removed the swinging arm last night and, since I was at it, stripped the paint from it completely, removed the old bearings (which had virtually no grease in them) then removed all the rust by dipping it for several hours in rust remover. Got it repainted today and it's now drying nicely and awaiting the installation of new bearings. The old races came out easily enough with a metal bar, tapped reasonably hard from inside the swingarm.

Once the paint is dry, I'll get the bearings in, put the now re-lubed UJ joint back on and get it all back together. Definitely a worthwhile exercise.

Those boots are expensive new (if still available), so thanks for the warnings re tearing them......