Might need a new final drive

[Raider]

Ugh.  Started hearing a funky noise and was going to put it on the lift when I got home to start tearing the rear end apart.  Too late.  On teh way home, there was a loud noise.  I could get power to the rear, but it sounded like there was gravel in the bike. Idles fine, shifts through gears fine, but man, start letting the clutch out, and it makes horrible noises. 

Tow company took it to the shop as I just don't ahve time to get to it in the near future.  Dangit.

So, there are many here more experienced than I with such noises.  Is this likely the final drive gears, U joint, something else?  Any idea?

[The emperor has no clothes]

Pinion cup and driveshaft would be my bet.

[hubcapsc]

Cross your fingers. It is probably the u-joint or the drive-shaft/pinion-cup,
all available new from Honda.

If it is the final-drive/flange, it will be more difficult and expensive...

None of it is much labor... if you have a good shop and it's not the
final-drive/flange, they should be able to fix you up without too
much cost...

They can get you a new flange, but new final drives aren't available anymore.

-Mike "good used final drives are available but getting more expensive every day..."

[Raider]

Thanks all.  Hoping for the less expensive options!   

I'll let you know when I hear something from the shop.  Final drives- found one on EBay.  $729!!!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks all.  Hoping for the less expensive options!   

I'll let you know when I hear something from the shop.  Final drives- found one on EBay.  $729!!!

If it is the final drive, one from a 1500 GoldWing can be pressed out and used.

[old2soon]

Thanks all.  Hoping for the less expensive options!   

I'll let you know when I hear something from the shop.  Final drives- found one on EBay.  $729!!!

If it is the final drive, one from a 1500 GoldWing can be pressed out and used.

                 What Rob said and check with Grumpy in Florida if it is in fact yer final drive. Like others I'm thinkin P-cup drive shaft but once yer wrench gits er opened up you'll know. RIDE SAFE.

[Raider]

Thanks all.  Shop opens tomorrow adn I'll let you know what I hear.

[gordonv]

Just to be different, I'm thinking rear bearing(s).

Was the problem more or less, when applying power, coasting, or cornering?

Very few rear drives go. Unless the hub isn't lubed, and wears that out.

[Valkpilot]

Pinion cup and driveshaft would be my bet.

+1 or u-joint

[Jess Tolbirt]

valkyrie, tow truck, u-joint, all in the same sentence? hmmmmm

[Bronxboy]

I had a rear bearing failure that sounded just like that?

[old2soon]

My rear wheel bearings went out just before I-15-Spearfish. After atticrat R & Rd bearings I also installed my new U-joint. Bout 93000 miles on the clock when this transpired. Have yer wrench guy do a little look see at the rear wheel bearings. A Good wrench Should check everything back there anywho. RIDE SAFE.

[RainMaker]

Pinion cup and driveshaft would be my bet.

+1 or u-joint

Agreed.

[Raider]

Update.  U-joint is shot.  I've got to call tomorrow and get an update.  Last notice, they were waiting on parts.  Not the fastest place around, but then, they're the only place around.  Dangit!

[Chrisj CMA]

Update.  U-joint is shot.  I've got to call tomorrow and get an update.  Last notice, they were waiting on parts.  Not the fastest place around, but then, they're the only place around.  Dangit!

Not that hard to change your u-joint.  Save $1500

[Raider]

Finally got her back.    I guess I'm lucky  because it only cost $800, not $1,500! 

Just glad to have it back.  I have enough travel at work right now that I wasn't sure when I'd get to it.

[Beardo]

Finally got her back.    I guess I'm lucky  because it only cost $800, not $1,500! 

Just glad to have it back.  I have enough travel at work right now that I wasn't sure when I'd get to it.

$800 to change a u-joint!?!?

It’s a $120 part and an hour job. And that’s if you’ve never done it before.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Finally got her back.    I guess I'm lucky  because it only cost $800, not $1,500! 

Just glad to have it back.  I have enough travel at work right now that I wasn't sure when I'd get to it.

$800 to change a u-joint!?!?

It’s a $120 part and an hour job. And that’s if you’ve never done it before.

Agreed, well the boot did take about 14.3 hours. 

[old2soon]

$800.00 come on down to my shop I'll buy the parts U-joint and new boot-install them and take ya out to dinner. Even throw in an adult beverage or three. RIDE SAFE.

[Pappy!]

I would be double checking the tightening procedure of the final drive if I were you. Alignment is affected if not done in the proper sequence. Most have never done a Valk so well worth a bit of time.

[Hook#3287]

$800.00 to change a u-joint?

Wow, guess that's why we call em "Stealers"

Did they throw in a new tire and brake pads when you weren't looking?

[Firefighter]

Remember the shop had to diagnose the problem before they can just replace the u-joint. Takes me a lot longer than an hour, especially with my Interstate and some of you suggested that a good mechanic would check out everything, remember!

[Valkpilot]

Finally got her back.    I guess I'm lucky  because it only cost $800, not $1,500! 

Just glad to have it back.  I have enough travel at work right now that I wasn't sure when I'd get to it.

$800 to change a u-joint!?!?

It’s a $120 part and an hour job. And that’s if you’ve never done it before.

$800.00 to change a u-joint?

Wow, guess that's why we call em "Stealers"

Did they throw in a new tire and brake pads when you weren't looking?

Give a guy a break.

Not everyone has the tools, location, skills, experience, time, or strength to work on these bikes.  And the first time for some of these tasks can be quite intimidating.

If I recall, the by-the-manual procedure calls for removal of the swingarm to check and replace the u-joint and the dealer will charge according to the book, including by-the-manual times for removing saddlebags, rear fender half, rear wheel, rear drive, and drive shaft. 

The mechanic doing the job may know the same shortcuts we do, but that doesn't matter.  The charge will be based on the standard time called for.

He got the repair done and is apparently satisfied with the outcome.  I fail to see the benefit of scorn as to how it was accomplished.

This forum can be very hard on those who don't know as much as the more experienced members.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Finally got her back.    I guess I'm lucky  because it only cost $800, not $1,500! 

Just glad to have it back.  I have enough travel at work right now that I wasn't sure when I'd get to it.

$800 to change a u-joint!?!?

It’s a $120 part and an hour job. And that’s if you’ve never done it before.

$800.00 to change a u-joint?

Wow, guess that's why we call em "Stealers"

Did they throw in a new tire and brake pads when you weren't looking?

Give a guy a break.

Not everyone has the tools, location, skills, experience, time, or strength to work on these bikes.  And the first time for some of these tasks can be quite intimidating.

If I recall, the by-the-manual procedure calls for removal of the swingarm to check and replace the u-joint and the dealer will charge according to the book, including by-the-manual times for removing saddlebags, rear fender half, rear wheel, rear drive, and drive shaft. 

The mechanic doing the job may know the same shortcuts we do, but that doesn't matter.  The charge will be based on the standard time called for.

He got the repair done and is apparently satisfied with the outcome.  I fail to see the benefit of scorn as to how it was accomplished.

This forum can be very hard on those who don't know as much as the more experienced members.

You are probably right. But I think the scorn was directed at the dealer not the owner. I hope he now understands that. 

[Valkpilot]

You are probably right. But I think the scorn was directed at the dealer not the owner. I hope he now understands that. 

Hope you're right.

[Beardo]

You are probably right. But I think the scorn was directed at the dealer not the owner. I hope he now understands that. 

Hope you're right.

I think it’s pretty clear the comments were directed at the dealer.  And yes, the dealer probably removed the swing arm, which takes this from being an easy job to one much more involved.

Who knows, maybe there was wear on the driveshaft and pinion cup too, and they were replaced as well. For $800, hopefully they replaced the wheel bearings and brake pads while everything was apart(and the o-rings and thrust washer, then put everything back properly).

I don’t like seeing anyone getting ripped off and that’s the reason for the comment, nothing else.

[Valkpilot]

You are probably right. But I think the scorn was directed at the dealer not the owner. I hope he now understands that. 

Hope you're right.

I think it’s pretty clear the comments were directed at the dealer.  And yes, the dealer probably removed the swing arm, which takes this from being an easy job to one much more involved.

Who knows, maybe there was wear on the driveshaft and pinion cup too, and they were replaced as well. For $800, hopefully they replaced the wheel bearings and brake pads while everything was apart(and the o-rings and thrust washer, then put everything back properly).

I don’t like seeing anyone getting ripped off and that’s the reason for the comment, nothing else.

Agreed.

[Raider]

Thanks all.  Not at all offended. 

If I was waiting on myself to find the time to get to the job, it would be another two weeks before I could begin.  Travel for work, kids sports, and helping my wife with her business have me tied up.  Instead, I was able to ride my bike to church today and to take the scenic ride home. 

I could pay $800, or I could wait a couple more weeks to begin working on it.

I'm glad to have her back on the road.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks all.  Not at all offended. 

If I was waiting on myself to find the time to get to the job, it would be another two weeks before I could begin.  Travel for work, kids sports, and helping my wife with her business have me tied up.  Instead, I was able to ride my bike to church today and to take the scenic ride home. 

I could pay $800, or I could wait a couple more weeks to begin working on it.

I'm glad to have her back on the road.

[Wizzard]

Final drives are available, I just bought a new one 2 months ago from Bike Bandit for 900 bucks.