Noise from the driveshaft?

[dndgentili]

2002 GW with high mileage on the clock. Servicing the driveshaft is not addressed in the maintenance section (maybe I should look again). Anyway, is it reasonable to service the driveshaft? Is it even possible without disassembling the entire bike?
I have never taken this bike to the dealer except for recalls. I have done the routine service for everything from oil to adjusting the valves. From troubleshooting electrical problems to tire and brake changes.

I'd like the wisdom of this group to help me out with this one. Thanks in advance, fellas!

[GoldWingrGreg]

According to Honda, there is no such thing as servicing the drive shaft. To remove it for a proper inspection, there are 2 ways to remove it. The engine either has to be removed, and it get pulled out from the front, or the final drive must be removed and it is then pulled out from the rear. In my shop, anytime either is done, of coarse I'll pull the shaft and check for looseness in the front u-joint.

For the most part, our drive shaft lasts many, many miles and unless a problem crops up, they are trouble free. If you are one wanting to do preventive maintenance, and since new take off drive shafts and final drives are still available from trike shops, and if you're looking for a mileage mark when to replace it, choose 150 or 200k as your PM mileage to swap them out.

[dndgentili]

Thanks, Greg. With over 185K miles on the bike, I think I'll attack it from the rear. Will splines pull out of the U-joint in the front? Is it hard to get the shaft back in?

[newday777]

Remove the final drive and the whole driveshaft pulls out the back with the u-joint. I had to replace my driveshaft at 85,000 miles from a failed u-joint.
FYI, if you need a driveshaft, get one from a 2001-2005 as the 2006-2017 are longer length than yours is. The good thing is there are lots available from trike shops that have converted 1800 bikes to trikes. Usually @$75 for a low mileage takeoff, $50 or less for others.
KD Cycles in Alabama has a ton of driveshafts from trike conversion takeoffs.
Jeff in parts there can help you out. (256) 504-0628. He shipped one to me in NH when I needed mine.

[newday777]

To get it back in, pull the boot back off the motor to access the output shaft splines(lube the splines with Moly Paste) and slide the driveshaft on. You may need to put a long screwdriver in to lift the u-joint up through the boot to align the shaft angle to the output shaft. Check your boot too for cracks and replace if necessary.

[newday777]

Moly Paste so it stays on the splines

[dndgentili]

newday777 --
You have given me a tremendous amount of valuable information. With that information including details of the job, references, supplies, and phone number information I've been given real assistance. Thanks for your time and experience in this matter. I now have the confidence to attack this job.
Thank you,
Dan (near Williamsburg, VA)

[newday777]

newday777 --
You have given me a tremendous amount of valuable information. With that information including details of the job, references, supplies, and phone number information I've been given real assistance. Thanks for your time and experience in this matter. I now have the confidence to attack this job.
Thank you,
Dan (near Williamsburg, VA)

You are welcome Dan. That's what this forum is about....learning and sharing to help others learn and share....to help others learn and share....
Pay it forward. Have fun doing it bro.

[GoldWingrGreg]

Thanks, Greg. With over 185K miles on the bike, I think I'll attack it from the rear. Will splines pull out of the U-joint in the front? Is it hard to get the shaft back in?

The drive shaft is one assembly. The front does not have a removable yoke that contains a u-joint. The front u-joint sits in a front yoke with the rear of the yoke welded to the drive shaft. The front u-joint is non-serviceable ... there is no way to replace the u-joint, and no way to lube it. The front part of the front yoke has female splines to slide onto the male output shaft coming out the back of the engine. The rear of the shaft has female spines with no u-joint.

[dndgentili]

Great information, Greg. Thanks for the help. I'll follow-up once the dead is done.
r,
Dan

[GoldWingrGreg]

To get it back in, pull the boot back off the motor to access the output shaft splines(lube the splines with Moly Paste) and slide the driveshaft on. You may need to put a long screwdriver in to lift the u-joint up through the boot to align the shaft angle to the output shaft. Check your boot too for cracks and replace if necessary.

I believe Moly Paste is no longer made. However it shouldn't matter ... no where in any Honda's Service Manual for 5th gen Wings is Moly Paste used. To lube the drive shaft Honda requires MolyKote or the stuff from Mitubishi which I've never been able to source in this country.

"Use molybdenum disulfide grease (containing more than 3% molybdenum disulfide, NLGI #2 or equivalent).
Example: Molykote® BR-2 Plus manufactured by Dow Corning, U.S.A. Multi-purpose M-2 manufactured by Mitsubishi Oil, Japan"

To verify here is the path Service Manual > Contents > flip page to next page > Symbols

[newday777]

Moly Paste is still available.
You can get it from Honda as Moly 77.
I chose long ago to get the Loctite Moly Paste which has 85% moly. Better price, has applicator brush in the cap, sticks real good....

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NCB51048

https://www.ebay.com/i/151652016163?chn ... ntid=51291

[Asphaltmaniac]

I recommend removing the rear brake master cylinder and pedal to have access for the engine drive spline for two reasons. First, you have a great reason to bleed the rear brake system. Second, unless its been out lately, the pedal shaft and pass through the frame needs cleaning and fresh grease.
And I too recommend the Honda 77 it is very thick and pasty so it stays put.