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driveshaft noise/vibration

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Victor Hugo, Jan 7, 2021.

  1. Victor Hugo

    Victor Hugo New Member

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    Hello everyone, I have a problem. I have a 1985 xj700x. I have been working on carbs, last week I finally put them back on, I was going for a ride but I start to hear an annoying sound from the driveshaft, it sounds like metal hitting metal and the bike started to vibrate. When I got home, I put the bike on the center stand, I started it in neutral but it works without problems, when I put her in gear starts to vibrate and makes the sound again.

    The noise is only evident when the bike is in gear.

    I inspected the bike and found this:

    upload_2021-1-7_11-26-3.png upload_2021-1-7_11-26-24.png

    I think it is called U-joint, it is damaged, I am going to replace it, but my question is: is it normal for the U-joint to be damaged? Is there anything that could damage the U-Joit? Should I check something else? And could this be the source of the noise?

    I would be grateful for any solutions / advice etc, thanks
     
  2. mlew

    mlew Well-Known Member

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    Not normal, that one is damaged beyond repair it will need to be replaced
     
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  3. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    The bearings in the yoke failed. Then it ground itself to death, seized, and finally snapped.
    An uncommon problem, but one to look out for on any old machine.
     
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  4. JCH

    JCH Active Member

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    How many miles on your Bike Victor ?
     
  5. Victor Hugo

    Victor Hugo New Member

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    I don't know, the tach says 25000 +/- but it has no speedometer cable since I bought it so I don't know
     
  6. Victor Hugo

    Victor Hugo New Member

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    It was worse than I thought, the U-joint was completely broken

    upload_2021-1-28_13-19-15.png upload_2021-1-28_13-20-24.png upload_2021-1-28_13-20-51.png upload_2021-1-28_13-21-9.png upload_2021-1-28_13-21-26.png

    I replaced it with this one that I found on Ebay

    upload_2021-1-28_13-22-6.png upload_2021-1-28_13-22-29.png

    I took the bike out for a ride and it runs smoothly.

    Thanks for the help
     
  7. chacal

    chacal Moderator Moderator Supporting Vendor Premium Member

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    Yikes, that was ugly! Good thing you took it down for a look-see.....
     
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  8. jayrodoh

    jayrodoh YimYam Premium Member

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    Holy crap, obviously someone rode it for along time after it failed to get like that!
     
  9. JCH

    JCH Active Member

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    Doesn't look like it is easily servable, did you try to inject some grease into the new one or anything like that.
    Was it easy to swap out, did you just remove the rear tire and swing arm.
     
  10. Victor Hugo

    Victor Hugo New Member

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    Its easier than it looks like.
    I didn't remove the swingarm, I did as k-moe explains in this post:
    upload_2021-2-15_9-57-58.png
     

    Attached Files:

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  11. Franz

    Franz Well-Known Member

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    Easily serviceable surely means replacing complete CV joint in comparison with replacement of bearings in worn but repairable joints.
     
  12. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    The XJ u-joint has no provision for regreasing, or rebuilding...well, not without some major surgery (the bearings are staked into place).
    Replacement is the best option.
     
  13. a100man

    a100man Well-Known Member

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    What's a drive shaft?
     
  14. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Propshaft to you.
     
  15. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    there is a post from a member from Argintina his avatar is red, thats all i can remember.
    he sourced a cross joint from a catalog that was for a renault and repaired his yoke.

    there are lots of u joints on ebay so no need to get in deep unless you cant get one
     
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  16. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    I remember that thread well. He actually had the Renault u-joint modified to fit and used it instead of the OEM u-joint.
     
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  17. a100man

    a100man Well-Known Member

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    ..it was a joke (of sorts) - the 550/600s run chains.;)
     
  18. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    What’s a chain?
     
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  19. FJ111200

    FJ111200 Active Member

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    Chain (unit) The chain is a unit of length equal to 66 feet (22 yards). It is subdivided into 100 links or 4 rods. There are 10 chains in a furlong, and 80 chains in one statute mile. In metric terms, it is 20.1168 m long.
     
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  20. Huntchuks

    Huntchuks Well-Known Member

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    Great and accurate answer.
     
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