2000 Interstate thumping noise in drive train need help

[oldtymer]

While driving my interstate yesterday, i noticed a slight vibration and noise when I backed down the throttle and let the engine slow the bike. When I pulled away from a stop light, I heard and felt a load thump in the drive train. This noise was one thump and was not continuous as I accelerated. I pulled over but could not see anything obviously wrong. During the ride home, I  noticed the thump would occure in different gears and when the engine was pulling (just starting, going up hills). I removed the rear wheel and pulled the drive shaft and could see any obvious problems with the rear wheel bearings (no play) or the driveshaft spline, which was dry but not rusted or worn. I am now thinking the U-joint might be failing. My questions are have I missed anything that might be the source of this problem? How difficult is pulling the U-joint, does the swing arm need to be removed? The service manual indicates that special Honda tools are required to pull the swing arm so I hesitated at this point to get input from experienced people. My interstate is a 2000 vintage with approximately 36,000 miles. I am the original owner and know the only service on the drivetrain has been lubing the spines when new tires were installed and changing the fluids in the rear. I live in Ten Mile Tn between Kingston and Decatur. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[X Ring]

Here's an article from the Rattlebars website.  http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/ujoint.html  If I was you I would save EVERY article there cause Chet retired and closed up shop.  There's no telling how much longer the site will be up.  While you're at it check the rubber dampers in the wheel.  Put you finger on them and if you can move them.  If you can, you need to replace them.  Buy the ones made for an I/S, they are one piece.  If you buy ones for an earlier Standard/Tourer you will have to buy the rubber pieces and the metal inserts.

Marty

[oldtymer]

Marty

Thanks for your input. I found Chet's instructions and successfully removed the U-joint. The u-joint does not appear to have any play and the splines do not appear worn. I am not sure how to diagnose the problem at this point.

[chip]

Check your pinion cup, sounds like mine did when it failed. I replaced both the shaft and cup. Let us know your findings.

[fudgie]

Check your pinion cup, sounds like mine did when it failed. I replaced both the shaft and cup. Let us know your findings.

Dang chip! Where and how ya been?

[oldtymer]

I have found the problem. I could not pull the driveshaft from the rear assembly and removed the seal to have a look. The driveshaft spline was turned a half notch in the coupler. The teeth just about worn enough to turn completely. The thumping noise was the spline slipping a notch when power was applied and under a load. The spline appeared dry and rusty so I guess no lubricaton was the cause of this problem. I had four sets of tires mounted by Honda dealers over the 36,000 miles and each time, I requested the splines be inspected and lubricated. I guess this work was not performed, at least not the last time. Inspection of the damage identified that a new coupler, driveshaft. and seal would be required. My lesson in this experience is to perform the required maintance myself so I know it gets done. Thanks for all the advice and help from this board.

[X Ring]

Did you ask specifically that the driveshaft be inspected?  If not, they probably inspected the final drive splines an wheel flange.  Good thing is the pinion cup replacement isn't that difficult if you have access to air tools.

Marty

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

believe it or not your very lucky. I stripped mine out on the way to work about 25 miles from home. It never made a noise or gave any sign of failing. I left the redlight and twisted the wick pretty hard, banged into sec and there was a funny noise and then it was gone. easy fix less than hundred bucks, new coupler,seal and shaft.

[pBrain]

Can someone post a picture of this for me so I know where to look?

I think I have the same issue.  I thought is was my pipes separating at the joint, but this sounds more like it.

[deadwood]

You are both lucky. Mine happened 1800 miles from home.
It was an expensive u-haul rental.

believe it or not your very lucky. I stripped mine out on the way to work about 25 miles from home. It never made a noise or gave any sign of failing. I left the redlight and twisted the wick pretty hard, banged into sec and there was a funny noise and then it was gone. easy fix less than hundred bucks, new coupler,seal and shaft.

[HayHauler]

There is a pic of a good new looking pinion cup in this thread. 
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,13628.0.html

Hay
Jimmyt

[HayHauler]

Can someone post a picture of this for me so I know where to look?

I think I have the same issue.  I thought is was my pipes separating at the joint, but this sounds more like it.

When you remove the rear wheel, remove the 4 nuts that hold the swing arm to the rear end housing.  Careful, the rear end might fall out on the ground.  The pinion cup is on the end of the drive shaft that you can see hanging out of the swing arm. 

Hope any of this helped. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[Valkpilot]

There is a pic of a good new looking pinion cup in this thread. 
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,13628.0.html

Hay
Jimmyt

Some more here: http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,18257.0.html

[pBrain]

See... my thump came from the left side and this is on the right....   hmmmmmm.