Drivetrain slack in the transmission

[Dodis]

'98 Standard, 45,000 miles. I have been slowly working my way forward on my drive train, performing normal maint and inspections, while looking for the noisy slack I hear at accel/decel. Last year installed Gary's dampers and shock bushings. Splines and driveshaft checked out good then, still look great now. I am in the middle of a u-joint replacement (my next step), the old u-joint does not feel like it has any slack, though it flexes easily, unlike the new one which is stiff.

Here is the question, once I got the old u-joint out, I put the transmission in 1st, and I can turn the output shaft from the transmission about 1/2 of one spline width (half the width of the V notch). Is this a normal amount of play in the transmission or clutch? Have not had any clutching issues indicating rivet problems. I realize there will be some play, mechanical tolerances and all, just seems excessive.

Mike

[Ricky-D]

Yes, you're ok.

You have to expect some play in the transmission especially when in 1st thru 4th gear. 5th gear should have the least of all play since it's in a shaft lockup position.

Put that new universal in and ride.

***

[prc1950]

  Torque damper doing its job,there will allways be a little slop for this reason,dont worry,just ride!
   Paul in sunny Iowa

[Dodis]

Many thanks for the replies!

If it were a problem, I wouldn't be able to do much about it at the moment, so it's almost all back together now (had to stop and cut the grass). Probably would have gone faster without these big short fingers trying to get the boot on. But, rolling the ends down helped a lot (thanks VRCC archives!).

But at least I got to lube the output shaft. It wasn't dry, but close. And a rear gear oil change while it was off.

Tomorrow I'll finish getting the back end together, then it's on to the front. Finally getting around to the fork re-re-rebuild. Got to check the slider over REAL close for any burns that might be eating the seal. Only lasted a month after the last rebuild... 

Mike