Drive shaft nut

[MidnightRider]

Just got a howl in my 82 GS1100GK, about 45000 miles. Trying to reach the nut under the rubber boot at the front of the drive shaft. Is it possible to tighten this nut without removing the engine or loosening the engine?

[SqDancerLynn1]

Check on Bascliff's web site for beveled gear repair

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/storagecliff/images/bevel_gear_shaft_repair_zooks.pdf

[MidnightRider]

The threaded part of the shaft isn't broken on my bike, still moves. That repair guide is for pulled gears after the engine is removed.

Anyone know if I need to remove the engine to tighten the shaft nut???? Didn't get to far into it yet, had to go over to another garage to get the tools to remove the frame bracket in front of the shaft boot.

[raistian77]

Check on Bascliff's web site for beveled gear repair
http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...pair_zooks.pdf

How common is this?
Should we be removing the boot and checking this once a year?

[Nessism]

How common is this?
Should we be removing the boot and checking this once a year?

Good question here. It's common enough that I've heard about it at least half a dozen time - in 1100's mostly.

I'd say it's a good idea to check, but easy for me to say, I don't own a shafty anymore and don't know how hard it is to get to.

[SqDancerLynn1]

You would need to remove the swing arm. You could have a bad bearing too ! I have never heard of the nut coming loose.. Breaking Yes. So be careful trying to re tighten it. Check and see if it turns smoothly

[MidnightRider]

I found a howl thread doing a search and someone replied that this nut comes loose all the time on shaft drives. He left an exploded view of the shaft with the bevel gears and the nut but I can't find much discussion on it. The howl went away in that particular thread.

The torque on this nut does adjust the preload on the gear. Factory manual page 4-13.

[Nessism]

My understanding is the nut comes loose and then the shaft breaks because the slop. Tightening the nut as part of maintenance sounds like the hot ticket but it also sounds like a lot of work.

[raistian77]

You would need to remove the swing arm. You could have a bad bearing too ! I have never heard of the nut coming loose.. Breaking Yes. So be careful trying to re tighten it. Check and see if it turns smoothly

It seems that the nut coming loose is what breaks the stud off. Now question how hard is it to remove the swing arm?

[marcopasco39]

Could this nut coming loose cause the gear oil to leak into the boot or do you have to replace the seal for sure?