Busy Couple of Days

[X Ring]

I'm leavin for Mobile to pick up my new wheel bearings and some Bel Ray Waterproof grease then to Gautier to pick up my bike lift and some odds and ends.  Depending on what time I get back, I will swap the bearings in Sandman's spare rear wheel then take it to have the new tire mounted.  1st thing in the morning, Sandman will go in the air and have the rear tire, final drive and drive shaft pulled for maintenance.  While I have it apart, should I pull the U joint for cleaning and inspection?  Sandman has 43K miles. 

Marty

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I'ld go ahead and check the u-joint  and the coupler,and shaft end. I  didn't check mine and ended up stripping a coupler out.

[Chrisj CMA]

With only 43k the U-joint is only going to be a concern if hes been racing, doing wheelies or hairy burnouts.  If riding has been what you would call normal, and there have been no strange vibrations...dont worry about the U-joint for awhile

[Willow]

I don't think you need to pull the U-joint.

I would definitely pull and inspect the driveshaft as well as inspect and lube the pinion gear.

[hubcapsc]

I don't think you need to pull the U-joint.

I would definitely pull and inspect the driveshaft as well as inspect and lube the pinion gear.

Here's what I think about the pinion... debate welcome...



A small amount of moly grease (not paste) is called for in the manual - they list an amount by weight, I don't
have anything that will weigh a dab of grease, so, small amount is an amount that won't end up clogging the
holes you see in the picture... the pinion is lubed by the final drive fluid, it comes in one of the holes and out
the other (they're different), and the seal that's there makes it a closed system.

-Mike

[X Ring]

Thanks guys.     I was already planning to pull the drive shaft.  Just had a lot of fun pulling the rear wheel bearing.  Had to go rent a pilot bearing remover and slide hammer.  Got the left bearing out in O'Reillys parking lot.  Right bearing wouldn't budge though.  Sprayed some penetrating oil around it and let it soak on the way home.  Once at home, I put the pilot bearing remover and slide hammer back to work.  On the 4th or 5th stroke, one of the arms on the remover head BROKE!!!     SUNOVABISCUITEATER!!!!!!!!  Went and got a socket, two extensions and a 16 oz ball peen hammer.  Placed the socket against the outer race on one side of the bearing.  Gave it 3 or 4 taps, moved it and repeat until I worked my way around the bearing twice.  It then fell out of the wheel.  Man, the bearing pockets are nasty.  Figured it wasn't going to be easy when the inner race on the bearings wouldn't turn.  Time to go clean out the bearing pockets and clean the inner spacer.  Get the outer spacer machined .26" shorter then install the SKF 3204 A-2RS1/C3 bearings on both sides.  3204 is the European part number for 5204 bearings.  Salesman at Motion Industries told me the Top Tier manufacturers are now using the European designations.  The way things are looking, I'll actually be pulling the old wheel, final drive and drive shaft tomorrow.

Marty

P.S.  I will be doing a write up with pics for this mod.  Only pics won't be removing the old bearings but you'll get to see what they look like.