Yoke removal without removing swingarm?

[mrgeoff]

   I was just wondering if I can remove and reinstall the driveshaft Yoke without removing the swingarm...???
Is there any trick that I should know if I try to do this...??? I do expect it to be apita...!!!

[John Schmidt]

Yes, and is much less involved than removing the rear end and swingarm. You still have to remove the rear wheel and final drive with the driveshaft, but not the swingarm. Rather than go into a long discussion now, maybe someone that has saved a copy of the procedure will post it 'cuz it does have some pics to go with it...better than me trying to explain but I've done it myself 2-3 times.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

https://web.archive.org/web/20160523032210/http://www.rattlebars.com:80/mtz/ujoint.html

[Jess from VA]

And don't forget to click each picture, you get more information.

What that doesn't tell you is that after unhooking everything to get in there, it's really helpful to tie things hanging out of the way before trying to pull it out.

[bikerboy1951]

The u-joint is held in place by a spring on the driveshaft.  You can pry the u-joint back and remove it without removing the wheel or loosening the final drive. You will still have to struggle with reinstalling the rubber boot covering the u- joint.

Brad

[Challenger]

The u-joint is held in place by a spring on the driveshaft.  You can pry the u-joint back and remove it without removing the wheel or loosening the final drive. You will still have to struggle with reinstalling the rubber boot covering the u- joint.

Brad

That would be a time saver if possible, I can barley get my hand in there to install the U-joint without the drive shaft and spring pressure. Have you done this successfully? Will have to try that.

[Chrisj CMA]

That's interest about prying it back against that spring. I have done the yolk 3 or 4 times on various bikes including my own.  It's hard enough to wiggle that thing around to get it in and out without the drive shaft.

I don't think I would want to do it with that spring fighting me, besides that spring isint meant for that much travel. I would wonder if that much compression would compromise the strength of the spring.

[RainMaker]

I have never removed the exhaust for final drive service or u-joint inspection/replacement.   There has to be a document describing how Daniel Meyer performs the u-joint servicing that shows how it is done.  Anybody in Georgia that might want to help out?

[mrgeoff]

    Well, once again...I want to thank everyone on this site for their knowledge and experience...
I knew there was a way...Last 10000 miles when I took off the rear wheel, I cleaned every thing up and re greased all except the Yoke...This time I will be replacing all the components and also the Yoke...I will also be doing rear fender nut mod....Check the valves...just getting her pampered again...She runs great and I try to do all myself...!!!   Thanks...!!!

[hubcapsc]

I will also be doing rear fender nut mod

If you have a wide car tire, I guess you might need to do that mod, but if not... ?

I remember once my fender nut came loose, I heard it rattling... If I'd have done
the nut mod, the holder would have been gone and the fender could have
separated...

Anywho... I'm glad I didn't do that mod...

-Mike

[gordonv]

I can only think that there is the issue about keeping the drive shaft level, don't let the arm hang down.

Then there is Dag's youtube on the rear tire, just a little more to remove the axle and then the yoke.