Differential service question

[thewoodman]

So....All differential services finishes with the 4 diff to drive shaft tube bolts get tightened after the axle gets torqued to spec. and my question is: does it make any difference whether the bike is suspended on the lift or with the bike on the ground with weight on it? Just curious since at my last service, I noticed a small amount of wear on the drive flange teeth.

[_Sheffjs_]

I can only add that it was up in the air.

[Flrider]

Up in the air for me.

How many miles between rear end service?
Are you using the right grease?
I have been using a Guard Dog moly with a mixture  of waterproof marine grease.

I'm sure some of the others will chime in with their expertise.

[Steel cowboy]

Well, no weight on the wheel will give a better feel for torquing the axle and tightening the driveshaft bolts since you're not fighting the weight of the bike .

[thewoodman]

10,000-11,000 miles between services; 102,000 on the bike. And I use the proper grease which is the same grease I've used for 20 years, tho I can't remember the name as I sit in front of my computer

[Flrider]

10,000-11,000 miles between services; 102,000 on the bike. And I use the proper grease which is the same grease I've used for 20 years, tho I can't remember the name as I sit in front of my computer

How did the grease look when you first looked at the splines?
still wet or dried out?

[Chrisj CMA]

So....All differential services finishes with the 4 diff to drive shaft tube bolts get tightened after the axle gets torqued to spec. and my question is: does it make any difference whether the bike is suspended on the lift or with the bike on the ground with weight on it? Just curious since at my last service, I noticed a small amount of wear on the drive flange teeth.

Let's back up a bit. It doesn't "finish" with the four bolts. The fact that you are asking can you lower the bike means you are waiting too long already to get to the four nuts. Ok to answer your question.  No definitely do not put the bike on the ground before locking in the alignment with those four bolts.

So, for best results. Torque  the axle and then before replacing the right side shock or lowering the bike IMMEDIATELY tighten the four bolts. Now you are locked in and can do the rest in any order you wish