Drive shaft splines

Discussion in '7th Generation 2010-Present' started by jeremyr62, Sep 1, 2022.

  1. jeremyr62

    jeremyr62 New Member

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    Coming from a FJR where owners were obsessive about lubricating the universal joint splines and the driveshaft splines I see very little noise about this for the VFR. Is it not a thing? I had a look in the manual and it seems easy enough but no one posts about doing it.
     
  2. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    It all started with the ST1100 and ST1300's, we got schooled in the use of Honda Moly Paste, as those drive splines on the rear wheel hub were subject to wear... FJR splines are a much harder material, so only lithium grease is specified. As for the driveshaft, it makes sense to lube splines to prevent wear... the FJR U-joint and driveshaft splines were rather dry from the factory.... so we lubed them. Moly paste is the best.
     
  3. jeremyr62

    jeremyr62 New Member

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    Answering my own question. No splines or bevel drive in the rear hub in the VFR requiring grease. They are all lubricated by the gear oil. At the other end of the shaft towards the engine, doesn't look like there is anything there either although I am not 100% on this. So very different design to the FJR.
     
  4. jeremyr62

    jeremyr62 New Member

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    Nope. I was wrong. There are splines at both ends of the driveshaft. The recall pdf describes the procedure and clearly states they require lubricating with moly grease on installation. You have circlips at both ends which makes it a bit tricky but I'll be giving it a go.
     
  5. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Def want Molybdenum Grease

    I know I'm likely repeating the info, but it is crucial on a Honda
     
  6. vfrgiving

    vfrgiving New Member

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    I hate to split hairs, but there's a difference between a moly paste and grease. Usually a moly paste is called for in a dry situation on final drive splines between the hub and rear wheel splines. Moly grease would more apply to a rotational or CV joint application. I have a drive shaft Honda that calls for moly paste on the final splines.

    Moly paste would be something like G-n from Dow Corning . I have a small tub of Loctite moly-paste I use. They've changed the name to "metal free anti-seize".
     
  7. jeremyr62

    jeremyr62 New Member

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    Well, I did it. There are splines at both end the driveshaft. They could slide but they don't as they are fixed by an external circlip (front) or a snap ring (rear).
    If you do it, follow the instructions in the manual/recall instructions. It's very straightforward and not too difficult at all. Some tips would be make sure you have circlip pliers that open to 30mm, make sure you have a good quality 17mm spanner for the 4 bolts holding the hub to the swingarm. Mine were ridiculously tight and access is very limited so you can't get an impact wrench onto them. The manual claims you can pull the driveshaft out of the hub with a good tug. Ha! Either I'm a weakling or they are very tough dudes in Japan. I had to lever it out of the splines using a small crowbar. The driveshaft and hub is very heavy so when refitting you need a way to support the hub as you try to get the universal joint back onto the gearbox output shaft. I did it alone but if you have another pair of hands it would be a doddle.
     
    VetteJim likes this.
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