Final Drive Install

[PapaHotel]

   Sorry I missed Inzane this year, I understand there was a tech session on this topic.  I had spline wear on my final drive and I installed another unit. I have done this operation before with good results, but now I seem to have introduced another issue.
    I am getting a "Rod Knock" like sound as I apply power. I did lube everything, and I think I got the u-joint splines fully engaged. After my initial drive, I went back, jacked the bike up again and loosened the four bolts on the pumpkin and rotated the tire. It made no difference. I did not have the axel bolt loosened during the process this time.
    I have now removed the final drive unit and am going to re-install it. I will again make sure the splines are fully seated (without forcing it) and I will rotatye the tire before torquing the pumpkin and axle bolts . My question is 1. is the knock from bottoming out, or is it the u-joint hitting the side of the driveshaft. Because I had no previous noise like this I do not tink the U-joint failed during the operation, but I am open to opinions and comments. i would really like to regain the secure mind feeling I used to have before my final drive started to go south...

TIA,
Paul

[Daniel Meyer]

Well, if the rear-end bolted up, you got the u-joint splines fully engaged. It cannot miss or go partway.

Are you saying it's a replacement rear drive? Maybe it's bad.

With that kind of noise I would check bearings in the wheel and the u-joint. Also, did you replace the drive-star with the unit? If they are worn unevenly or differently, that could be making noise.

If the only thing you've changed is the replacement drive unit...I might be suspecting that.

[Ricky-D]

If you've gotten everything all buttoned up properly there should be nothing amiss with regards to splines and the u-joint.  I mean there is no adjustment anywhere.

Were you sure to put the spring back on the drive shaft?

How do you know the knocking is coming from the rear?  I mean aside from hearing. You ears can fool you sometimes.

Are you sure the unit you used (to replace the old one) is/was in good condition. I mean did you test it at all? Look at the oil? Turn and feel for anything not smooth?

You can inspect the u-joint by un-mounting the rear brake pedal assembly and pulling  the boot back. Takes a bit of time to inspect but you can form a good opinion if you thorough enough! I you jack the bike up while doing this you can turn the wheel which helps also.

Inspection is what's called for here.

***

[PapaHotel]

  This is a used unit off a 2000 Interstate with about 16,000 miles. The splines were excellent and I installed a new flange. It is a very nice looking unit. I left the drveshaft receiver on the unit, but I might put my original unit on as a replacement. I replaced the oil with brand new (same oil I used in my older drive.)
   I mostly suspected binding due to an install that might not have seated the spline-u-joint connection. When I took it apart the grease I put on the u-joint end was pushed off the depth of the splines, so I think it was seated correctly.
   I will turn the unit over by hand (being it si out of the machine.) but I think I did that as part of my initial quality check when I purchased it.