Changing out Drive Hub & Splines, and have a question (FINAL UPDATE)

[Black Dog]

I'm in the process of having a new rear tire installed (dropped the wheel/Tire off at my dealer), and am replacing the Drive Hub and Splines as long as everything is all over my garage.

I have a question after looking at my old hub, and compairing it to the new (to me) one I got through PinWall.

In the first picture, you can see that the Oil Seal (black ring around where the gears are), is flush with the face of the Gear Case Cover.  In the second picture, the Oil Seal is recessed about 1/8", inside the Gear Case Cover...

Pic #1



Pic #2



Is there a problem with the new Hub, or is the problem with my old one, beyond the gear teath being all but gone.  You can see the broken 'O' ring, on the old one, and it was rusty, dry, and in a bad way...  I had pulled the wheel, and lubed everything, last winter, about 7000 - 8000 miles ago.

Any input would be appreiciated.  

Thanks
Black Dog

[Daniel Meyer]

I wouldn't sweat it. Difference in the seal, or your old one has worked it's way out a bit.

Also, tighten the 4 bolts that hold the pumpkin on to the swing arm last...as in, AFTER the axle has been torqued. That is the main culprit in this sort of wear.

[hubcapsc]

Here's a closeup I took of mine in June... is it more like your old one or your new one?



-Mike "mine came from Pinwall almost three years ago..."

[Black Dog]

Daniel,

Thanks for the info...  Believe it or not, I've been following the proper torque sequence, and using Matt's (Truck Racer) 'O' ring sets, since the bike had @ 25K on it.  Up to that point, the three sets of tires were done at a dealer, and the splines were about 1/3 gone.  Once I started pulling the wheel, and taking it to have the tire mounted, the wear on the splines was minimal at most.  Like I mentioned in my post, the 'O' ring, that seals the splines to the drive hub gears, was broken and the whole area was a rusty mess.  Between last winter and now, the splines are all but gone.

HubCap,

Hard to tell from your picture (a bit dark), but my new Hub is the second picture, and the Oil seal is recessed into the Gear Cover more that the one on my old Hub.  Like Daniel said, I'm not gonna sweat it.

Got the Fall Color Ride with the Michigans Misguided in a few weeks, and want to be sure I'll make it home.

Thanks Guys 

Black Dog

[sandy]

If you had rust, I'd guess you were using Honda's Moly Paste. Use Bel Ray's waterproof grease and you won't ever see anymore wear or rust. After 108K, I still have the original drive unit and it's still perfect. No spline wear at all.

[Black Dog]

Many thanks to those that replied. 

After getting home last night, I started working on the Rear Drive, and added the proper ammount of 70 - 90 Synthetic Mobil 1 rear end lube.  Very shortly after, I noticed a puddle forming on my bench...  You got it, coming from the seal area, I was asking about.

Took some time to read the repair manual (Honda Brand) and found that in section 12, page 17, they had my answer.  What it said about the seal is that it should 'align' with the cover surface.  Sorry, but I should have read before I asked the question.

Using a dental pic, I was able to remove the seal (it was loose, when pushed in as far as it was), and I re-seated it, to align with the cover surface.  After fully draining, I added the proper ammount of lube, and as of this morning, no leaks!

Just thought I'd let everyone know how things worked out.  I coulda run her dry, if I had not noticed the leak at the seal, when refilling.

Black Dog

[Daniel Meyer]

Yikes...sorry for the bad advice then. 

If that seal fully floats then (can't bottom out) I probably would add some sealer in it's seat to keep it in place...

[Black Dog]

Yikes...sorry for the bad advice then. 

Daniel,

Not bad advice, just something new to know    You have helped so many on the board with your knowledge, I just wanted to set the record straight, so someone else might benifit  .  The area where the seal goes must be tapered, narrow on top, larger closer to the bearing.  Once the lube was in there, it was easy to see where it was leaking from.

I was able to use the dental pick and hook the flat surface of the seal, and once removed, the edges that mate to the cover were in great shape.  I've left it on a towel, on my bench, seal side down...  Hope it's still dry when I get home.

Black Dog

[Black Dog]

Well, the project is done... 

Lessons learned? 

First, and foremost, have a good Valk riding buddy, that lives close by, to help ya hoist that beast of a rear tire in place (thanks Jim  ). 

Second, when showing said good buddy the process of lubing and assembling the rear end of a Valk, pay attention to what you are doing ( In the process of playing teacher, ya just might forget to lube a very important area, even though you talked about lubing that area  ).

Third, torque the axle, torque the drive hub bolts, THEN put the shocks on (Again, in my roll of 'teacher' I installed the left shock, before Jim asked if we should torque the drive hub bolts?  We did, but with one shock on, and the other off, things tend to get 'bound up like a patient after a week of Vicodin  )

Fourth, I'm getting really good at this process, as I tore everything down again, last night, and took my time putting things back together correctly.  My brother came over and helped me with the wheel, and I buttoned everything up by 10:00 last night.

All is well, and I'll be headed to the Traverse City Color Ride, with Daryl H, as my 'Wing Man'.  We will hook up with Michigan's Misguided, next Saturday morning, after spending Friday night in Mackinaw City.

Can't Wait!

Black Dog

[hoosierdaddy]

Good to hear you'll have everything working and you have no mechanical worries on the road!  Be safe buddy, and hoist a few for me in the evenings...  Wish I could hit the UP roads sometime... My dad's family was from up there.  Dad was born/raised in Houghton/Copper Harbor Michigan.  That's God's country up there!  What beautiful scenery you all will have riding the northern Michigan roadways...  Enjoy!!!!

Paul (Hoosier Daddy) Weber
VRCC #370
Indiana State Rep 

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

    Ride safe !!