Who has actually lubricated their driveshaft?

Troll · September 30, 2013, 07:10:47 AM

I had a sudden vibration that literally wasn't there one minute, and was the next. I fiddled around with lots of things, from motor mounts to running adjustments, and the only thing I could come up with was the u-joint. Took it out and it was free in one direction, and frozen in another. This joint doesn't move very much, but it still has to be free. Putting more air in the rear shocks helped with the vibration, because the joint ran straighter, but the only real fix was joint replacement. The new joint came with a grease fitting.....I had the swing arm off last month for something else, and greased the joint while I was in there. It;s been about 30,000 since I did the joint, and it's holding up just fine.

Bucko · September 29, 2013, 22:26:29 PM

Quote from: Troll on September 20, 2013, 15:24:23 PM
I have, and I replaced my U-Joint, too. I have lubed my swing arm bearings, greased the drive spline where it goes into the rear wheel...lots of stuff. Just takes time, it's not rocket surgery, just nuts and bolts. The hardest part of this whole thing is getting the bike so it's stable enough to do the work with the rear wheel off the ground. I did a write up on replacing the bevel drive housing last month...again, no big deal. I believe it's posted under mods and tips....

Hey Troll:

How did you know that you joint was toast? What were the symptoms? Was it clunking?

Troll · September 27, 2013, 08:25:40 AM

MAK: here's a quote from gadget's site, with the part numbers "Ask your dealer to check the Tucker Rocky ATV catalog and specifically part #57-8236. That is the equivalent of the Prairie 400 part (49050-1002) (see photo left) and costs about $30 including four snap rings. Cool eh? You've now saved $200."

Mak · September 27, 2013, 07:30:20 AM

Sorry forgot to ask - what is the part nr for the new joint please - I got my spare unit about 5 years ago and the OEM box is so greasy by now all info on it has disappeared ...
MAk

Mak · September 27, 2013, 07:23:12 AM

yeah thanks - I got the part quite some time ago - am just wondering if the whining noise on my J1 is this part or something else .... it only exists on deceleration.
Thanks for the link
M

Troll · September 26, 2013, 09:16:46 AM

OK, MAK...here's the link: http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=9911.msg34043#msg34043
The joint was for a 4 wheel atv, and costs less than $30.

Mak · September 26, 2013, 08:15:21 AM

Troll
Can you help me finding your write up on the u joint pls? Thanks
Mak

Mak · September 26, 2013, 08:13:53 AM

I have done it - and its worth it too. I am doing things like that on all 3 of mine and the inside looks like just out of the factory, well almost lol. In fact I grease up every "hollow" part I can that inc's also the fork covers and I use PLENTY of WD40 spraying it into the swingarm bridge ...

I am just completing my MakMachine that stood for a few years and endured shipping from the middle east to London and then from there to OZ. The preparation I did proved totally worthwhile, not a single deterioration anywhere ...

If you encounter fly rust - use WD40, a drill with low / vari speed, a long cheap drill bit or other steel rod, fine steel wool (you can use the steelo for the dishes too) and in low speed give it a "polish", but keep using plenty of WD40. Then grease up with a layer or General automotive grease.

Mak

capnconch · September 25, 2013, 06:25:50 AM

Quote from: DC on September 24, 2013, 10:58:01 AM
Is 17k a hard number or is it dependent on riding conditions?

Per owners manual the scheduled propeller shaft maintenance service is every 12,000 miles, also time to lube the swingarm pivot.

DC · September 24, 2013, 10:58:01 AM

Is 17k a hard number or is it dependent on riding conditions?

capnconch · September 24, 2013, 09:32:48 AM

Maybe I should rephrase and modify my question; Who actually has had this service done either by themselves or at the dealer or cycle shop?

Am I the only negligent owner here?
BTW, I'm not really negligent in all other areas of my Drifters maintenance just in this particular area, and no I haven't tackled the job yet. Daily Monsoon rains continue here in SW Florida so I haven't been riding either.

Troll · September 20, 2013, 15:24:23 PM

I have, and I replaced my U-Joint, too. I have lubed my swing arm bearings, greased the drive spline where it goes into the rear wheel...lots of stuff. Just takes time, it's not rocket surgery, just nuts and bolts. The hardest part of this whole thing is getting the bike so it's stable enough to do the work with the rear wheel off the ground. I did a write up on replacing the bevel drive housing last month...again, no big deal. I believe it's posted under mods and tips....

capnconch · September 20, 2013, 10:27:41 AM

I just flipped 17,000 mi on my Drifter 1500 and I have read Gadget's Lube your driveshaft instructions for years. I refuse to go to dealer to do this but I keep putting it off.
How many of you out there have actually done this procedure?
Or do you really trust your dealer or bike shop to do it and hope they do it right.
I AM GOING TO DO IT!. To Harbor Freight today to get the circlip pliers, time to get down and dirty.
But who else has done it themselves..Show of hands please and if you don't mind, tell of any obstacles you may have encountered.

I successfully lowered my front fork springs 1 " Progressive springs, without removing the forks!!! (bent wire coat hanger to fish out the stock springs and stuff out.) Will write an article on this shortly.

Conch