drive shaft re assembly

[bill v e]

trying to get the drive shaft to fit into univ joint end and I could only get it to push in w "springy" resistance.  was reluctant to set it in that way and put tire back on, so I have it back out.  the spring looks ok - right behind the washer and retaining clip.  it has a little play like it should, I guess.  before I go back out and try to set it in again, any ideas on why it doesn't just slip in flush like I remember it doing last 6 times? (7th car tire assembly 2000 is w 210,000 miles). trying to avoid cost of hiring someone to come over and put it all back together if I can help it,  more time than money sort of thing, if you know what I mean.

[hubcapsc]

Not exactly sure what you're describing...

I clip the spring onto the driveshaft, put the pinion end of the driveshaft into
the pinion cup, and slide the whole thing, final drive and all, into place.

It is often hard or frustrating trying to get the drive shaft to mate with the
universal joint, but once it "goes in" it is in, it can't go almost in or anything
like that.

LIfting the swingarm to level or even beyond level helps with the
mating of the drive shaft and the universal...

Have I missed your point entirely? 

-Mike

[Westsider]

+ 1  I also put the bike in gear
Great to see that puppy still running strong

[Chrisj CMA]

after installing the driveshaft and the final drive onto the swing arm.  As stated the splines either go in the U-joint or they don't.  If they don't you are inches from mating the flanges of the final drive and swing arm.  If it goes in it should slide in all but 1/16-1/8"  that last little bit closes as you torque the 4 bolts.....This is normal

[bill v e]

allright, i'll go back out and try again - got the bike up as high as it will go on the lift so should be easier.  will try to make everything level.  I did fish hook up toward the uv joint w some wire to see if anything is up in there but nothing came out.  will let everyone know. thanks.

[Chrisj CMA]

it has a little play like it should, I guess.

??  Don't know what you mean here.  I just checked my spare drive shaft, just as I remembered, the spring is under slight spring tension behind the clip/ring so there is no play (at least in the sprng itself.

[bill v e]

well, the spring can be pulled back by hand a little bit.  anyway, I was able to press it forward and hand tighten down the four nuts.  it was like pushing into a wad of grease, only a bit thicker.  maybe I have a bit much for grease up in there, but it is on now and i'll go put the wheel on, tighten her down and snug up four bolts last.