How do you replace drive shaft boot??

[DamanC]

Hey guys, I'm having some trouble replacing the boot.  I did some spline lubrication because my downshifting became really tough and thought it would be a good idea to replace the crusty boot BUT for some reason I can't shift up to 5th - (only 2nd) to take off the bolts of the drive shaft to get in there.


What's the deal?

I tried wiggling the swingarm and back wheel while holding in the clutch and trying to shift up and no luck  :-/

Thanks!!!

[Bengt_Phorqs]

The boot looks to be the original and if it were me I would just cut it off and throw it away.  A boot that old and crusty probably should be replaced anyhow.  They aren't that expensive and you'll probably need to buy new bolts for the driveshaft since they aren't really re-usable.

Now getting it back on is a hassle but I found that by using one of the spring clips from the air box to help lever it back on helps.  

[Bob_Roller]

I'm a bit confused (not a first, only a first today!!!), from what I read, you did a spline lube, I am assuming you meant the transmission input shaft splines .

From the looks of things, it doesn't look like the area has been 'disturbed' .

Wha work have you done so far

[nhmaf]

I'm with Bob R - if you did a clutch spline lube and didn't remove the transmission, it would be a bear to try to swing the whole swingarm back still attached to the output flange on the transmission...  Wouldn't you have the bolts already off?   If not, no need to be picky about what gear, 2nd works as well as any - just leave the rear brake hooked up so you can stomp down on it while lifting up on the nuts on the U-joint.   If you've disconnected the brake and don't want to reconnect it, well, you can get a friend to try to hold onto the rear wheel for you.

[DamanC]

Thanks for the great advice - I'll cut off that old boot, tie the rear brake down and get off those bolts (new bolts in the mail).  The picture was taken before the spline lubrication so the tranny was still bolted on.  Here's a pic of the input spline before lube and my attempt at cleaning cleaning.



Also - Am I wrong in thinking that it still won't shift past second even when I replace the boot? - Something must still not be lined up yet...

[Bob_Roller]

The transmission 'innards 'need to be moving to get it to shift properly.

When you get everything back together again and it still isn't shifting correctly, check the oilseal that the shift shaft goes through as it enters the transmission .

The seal may be tilted slightly or just hardened from age, preventing the shift mechanism from moving properly .

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

New boots are a real pain to get on, because they are new.
There is also a front and a rear, so make sure you get it on in the right direction.
http://type247.wordpress.com/page/2/

Tying the brake lever down will not do the job - you need to be pushing VERY hard with your heal to make the difference.  Probably a cheater-bar on your 12-point box-end wrench, too.

Bengt Phorqs, you assume he has a post-1980 airbox when you give advice about the clip.
Since he doesn't say, and I can't see his publicly posted pictures here at work, I'm not any real help.

[Semper Gumby]

I always remove the rear swing arm when I do the spline lube and thrust bearing service.  When the swing arm is seperated from the bike is when the new boot goes on.

I'm a bit confused as well.  Something is amiss.  :-/

[montmil]

What year and model is your bike, Daman? Design changes began with the 1981-84 models prior to the monos. Complete info is really needed to get more, and model specific, answers. Thx

Monte

[Ed Miller]

I always remove the rear swing arm when I do the spline lube and thrust bearing service.  When the swing arm is seperated from the bike is when the new boot goes on.

I'm a bit confused as well.  Something is amiss.  :-/

Maybe he's using the short cut method like Snowbum describes.  That way you don't separate the final drive/shaft from the gear box but pull it all back after disconnecting the swing arm and (I think) the shocks.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I always remove the rear swing arm when I do the spline lube and thrust bearing service.  When the swing arm is seperated from the bike is when the new boot goes on.

I'm a bit confused as well.  Something is amiss.  :-/

Maybe he's using the short cut method like Snowbum describes.  That way you don't separate the final drive/shaft from the gear box but pull it all back after disconnecting the swing arm and (I think) the shocks.

But one HAS to disconnect the universal from the gearbox output flange in order to put on a new boot.

[Semper Gumby]

The amazing thing is the last spline lube/throwout bearing service I did about a month ago, the boot slipped into place after about 5 minutes of fiddling.  I was so shocked.  I hadn't even started to use my extensive dictionary of engineer explecative deleteds*.  

(*sad substatute for poor mechical abilities)

If you can't be good, it helps to be lucky.  

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

The amazing thing is the last spline lube/throwout bearing service I did about a month ago, the boot slipped into place after about 5 minutes of fiddling.  I was so shocked.  I hadn't even started to use my extensive dictionary of engineer explecative deleteds*.  

(*sad substatute for poor mechical abilities)

If you can't be good, it helps to be lucky.  

Used boots are MUCH easier to install than brand new ones.

[DamanC]

Ah so I finally got it! (with some frustration of course). I found the best way was to get the gearbox side on completely and tighten the metal ring down and then put pressure on the middle of the boot and work around it until the whole swingarm part is on. I also used I metal skewer to help.  Btw it is an '83.