help please - drive shaft into u joint

[bill v e]

so i finally got the drive shaft end into the u joint (2000 interstate, 230k), put the wheel back on and wheel only wiggles - will not turn.  is it possible to get the drive shaft in far enough to eliminate any gap where the four bolts go on the back end and NOT be in the u joint?  in other words, could i have actually slid the drive shaft end above the u joint and not in the u joint hole??  gett'n too old for this but still trying anyway.  thanks for any help you can offer.

[hubcapsc]

Not sure what all you did, but it is pretty much impossible to jamb the driveshaft
in wrong... once it goes all the way in it is in the right place...

Once I left out the "distance collar" (20) and freaked out a little... did you put that back in?



-Mike

[Chrisj CMA]

so i finally got the drive shaft end into the u joint (2000 interstate, 230k), put the wheel back on and wheel only wiggles - will not turn.  is it possible to get the drive shaft in far enough to eliminate any gap where the four bolts go on the back end and NOT be in the u joint?  in other words, could i have actually slid the drive shaft end above the u joint and not in the u joint hole??  gett'n too old for this but still trying anyway.  thanks for any help you can offer.

Your shocks are probably off and the swing arm low.  wheel wont turn like that.  Continue on.  Make sure you leave the four final drive bolts loose, then torque the axle nut, then torque four bolts , then attach the right side shock.

If you are concerned once the axle is through, put the left shock on (only left) and see if the wheel turns.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Did you leave the bike in gear ?

[bill v e]

ok - will continue on - it is in neutral - will bolt on brake plate and get shocks back on and all will be well, i hope.  8th car tire and yes, i will tighten pumpkin bolts last.  about 215,000 miles ago, honda dealer did not tighten them last and i ended up buying a new pumpkin. that's what caused me to do all the work that i can myself, even though i am a junkyard mechanic at best.   thank you all.

[Daniel Meyer]

...and just to confirm...when the 4 studs go "home" the shaft IS in the joint. It cannot miss.

[Chrisj CMA]

ok - will continue on - it is in neutral - will bolt on brake plate and get shocks back on and all will be well, i hope.  8th car tire and yes, i will tighten pumpkin bolts last.  about 215,000 miles ago, honda dealer did not tighten them last and i ended up buying a new pumpkin. that's what caused me to do all the work that i can myself, even though i am a junkyard mechanic at best.   thank you all.

i will tighten pumpkin bolts last.

Not last, NEXT after the axle nut and before the right side shock.

[ridingron]

Your shocks are probably off and the swing arm low.  wheel wont turn like that.  Continue on.   

Can you jack the swing arm up and try turning it?

[indybobm]

ok - will continue on - it is in neutral - will bolt on brake plate and get shocks back on and all will be well, i hope.  8th car tire and yes, i will tighten pumpkin bolts last.  about 215,000 miles ago, honda dealer did not tighten them last and i ended up buying a new pumpkin. that's what caused me to do all the work that i can myself, even though i am a junkyard mechanic at best.   thank you all.

i will tighten pumpkin bolts last.

Not last, NEXT after the axle nut and before the right side shock.

Chris is right. if you install the right shock before tightening the 4 nuts, the right shock will try to twist the final drive out of alignment.