Rear End Feedback Needed

[Gary]

I picked up a 2000 IS last year so that my son and I could take a bike trip last summer. The trip was great but I am just now getting into the rear end. Recent rear end service by dealer during tire change per previous owner.

I've had my Standard apart a few times but can't say I've seen some of the redish hue that this one presented as well as the same level of wear. I was pleased to see a good amount of moly paste and grease in the appropriate areas. Just not sure it was there before that last maint.

Also noticed a busted muffler hanger stud and one stud on the exhaust header bolt.

Here's what I've got:



Note the broken hanger bolt to the left and what causes the rust red build up?






A few of my questions or concerns:
First, anything look too bad?
What's the rust-red build up or staining from?
What a good cleaning chemical to remove the red and any other grease paste build up on the parts?
Does the exhaust header stud merely unscrew from the head or...?
What about an exhaust hanger stud/bolt fix?

Thanks in advance for your feedback. 

[John U.]

Your final drive splines look good, not too much wear. The drive shaft and pinion cup splines are not too bad either, though the pinion cup looks worse than the drive shaft to me. The rust indicates a lack of grease in the past.
Carb cleaner spray should cut dried grease, the rust may need a scrubby pad the help it move.
I use a waterproof syntheic grease on the splines and drive shaft. Do a search on this subject to read what others have had to say then decide for yourself what to use.
Make sure the grease seal is in good shape and check/replace the final drive O-rings.

[Red Diamond]

I agree with John, pull the u-joint back and grease the splines on the output shaft. When you are ready to install the drive shaft you can grease the end that mates to the u-joint output end. Clean it up really good, put it back together. Good luck.

[Patrick]

Those drive splines don't look good to me.. Pics can be deceiving,but, they sure look quite worn from what I see.. It looks like the bike has been wet a few times.. The exhaust manifold studs do just screw into the block,, is there any left sticking out of the block ?? Generally there is and a few heat cycles and vise-grips will usually remove the stubs..

[RP#62]

I agree with all that's been said, nothing looks in too bad of shape.  I think the rust is from that cast iron jamb nut around the pinion cup.  Nothing to worry about.
-RP

[Ken 11861]

I agree with John U also, " that your splines look good - - " . I have cleaned and moly lubed my splines, u-joint & main engine spline at every rear tire change and yours show similar normal wear patterns. I would just clean out the old reddish, brownish, dirty goop and re- moly everthing. I use the Honda stuff in a 1" diameter tube from HDL. (ps: I'm an old retired machinist)

[alph]

just my opinion;

drive shaft and pinion cup look good, make sure that the two holes in the pinion cup are clean, meaning that there isn't crud built up in it, use a toothpick to PULL out the crud, or take the pinion cup off and clean it so that you don't get that crud into the gear box.  some people will argue that those holes don't do anything, i think the manufacture put them there for a reason, along with the seal on that end of the drive shaft.

your spline looks like it has some wear, but i wouldn't get crazy over it.  make sure you replace the THREE o-ring seals. 

as for that busted off exhaust bolt.  have fun!!  i replaced all four of mine, they stripped out when i took off my muffler (i read the manual for removing the rear tire instead of doing it the right way described here in the forum).  i replaced mine with stainless steel bolts, but had to remove the mounting plate, drilled and ground off the old stripped bolts, welded in the stainless ones, and welded the plate back on to the muffler.  by the way, it's stainless also so if you don't have a TIG welder, find someone that does......

good luck.

[Gary]

Thanks all for the feedback.

Already got the replacement o-rings (3), thought I had a new back up thrust washer but no. Ordered some from HDL along with some other misc. I only hope they don't hold the order to ship everything together...

Thanks again.