Calling All U-Joint Specialists

I was cleaning the bike today and decided I needed to take a rasp to the back tire to try and round out the flat spot. I started the bike and put it into gear. I then heard a noise that my girl has never made before. A popping and clunking noise while the wheel was spinning. I shifted up into second gear and put the rasp against the wheel. The noise was still there. So I recorded a short video of the noise found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMQC3BmZsOc.

I also measured the free play in the back tire and found I had 2.75" of rotation free play from right edge of tape to right edge of tape.


Is this a U-joint going bad, or do I have a wheel bearing issue? The bike has 54,000 miles on it. Is there anyway to inspect the u-joint without tearing it all apart. I know the splines are good as I just cleaned and re-lubed them this spring when I installed the new tires.

Thanks for the help.

The only way you will know for sure it to get into it. You may be able to see something by pulling the back end and looking up the hole with a flashlight.

I've done this before and don't remember hearing this racket.

Mike, as you probably know a bad driven spline bearing will make a similar noise idling in gear. It will go away when a little rear brake is applied. But...when measured at the very edge of the tread my bike with 154,000 miles has 1.75" play which is pretty much unchanged since 100K.

Well I have 2.75" of freeplay which seems excessive. I'll try this again tomorrow, but drag the rear brake and see if the sound changes.

I have a spare u joint if you need it. Its been on my shelf for years and I won't ever need it since I don't have an ST any longer.

I'm going to be in Indy this weekend for the Moto GP, so I may ride down saturday and take you up on that offer.

Just let me know. I am not going to the races, but depending on what the wife has planned I may be able to ride and meet you somewhere.

Both of my ST's made this sound when running on the center stand, even with low miles. I wrote it off to drive train play combined with no rolling resistance on the rear wheel causing a "bounce". Never worried about it.
As far as "rasping the tread", I've considered doing this a few times, but never really heard of being done. Results? Do you re-balance after?

I going to try dragging the rear brake and see if the sound goes away. Bike is running great, so just double checking before a couple of long weekend trips.

I have rasped most of my rear tires. You must use a long rasp and place one end on the ground and then bring the rasp into the tire. It takes awhile to get a somewhat curved profile back. It is easier on a single compound tire. With a dual compound the sides will cut down faster than the middle. I usaully only try to knock the ridge down on the edge of the flat center. You don't take enough off to affect the balance. The internal cords are what really affect balance. Be very careful if you try a short rasp as it will want to catch and be thrown back at you. Good ventilation is a must.

I had this noise at 30,000 miles and decided to replace the U-Joint with a brand new one out of an abundance of caution since I only ride long distances. When I took the U-Joint out, it was fine but had a little play that I considered very normal from use. Nothing was broken or even near broken. Decided to install the new U-Joint anyway since I had the bike apart.

The only way to inspect the U-Joint is to remove it from inside the swing arm. Mellow had a problem with his U-Joint a few years ago. One axis was not working. His thread is below and there are three or four of his posts you should read. Start with the first one in the thread and it will mention the other posts. Post 30 has the/his video with the noise recorded.

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?94962-U-Joint-Pre-Failure-Indicator&highlight=U-joint


If you decide to open up the swing arm, do yourself a favor and install a brand new U-Joint. You will also need the washer that seals the water out of the joint between the swing arm and frame. Your old washer will be well worn by now. Install a used U-Joint and you will always be wondering when it will go bad.

The swing arm wrench aftermarket $40 07ZMA-MCAA101

http://www.dhsracing.com/GL1800tools.htm

The swing arm wrench used original $85

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Honda-Lock-Nut-Wrench-07ZMA-MCAA101-/251544359186

Thanks for the info and links. Looks like I have some reading to do.

Think about it. Up on the centerstand, all of that rotating mass in the driveshaft/u-joint combo is at its most extreme extension. My bike has made this racket since I bought it at about 2500 miles and still does it at 91k miles, and sounds no different. I would not worry about it.
My '81 Airhead was much worse sounding, but it had 178k miles on it, and was a different beast entirely.

They can make some strange noises when they are running without any resistance. if it isn't doing it when you are riding it is probably that freeplay stuff going on. Just my guess.

You're likely getting the chucking from no load on the drive train. Yes try a little brake. With that much free play, you may have worn rubber dampers in the rear wheel, no panic, check them next time the wheel is off. A new set will do you wonders though.

I've got a very similar noise.
I have an 07 1300 with 172K miles.
I need to spend more time on the forum; I'm always learning something. For instance, U-joint replacement. I have never replaced my U-joint. I have noticed a vibration I feel through the handlebars. I also just noticed the above mentioned squeaking noise. I notice at slow speed, usually downshifting and after the bike is hot. I put the bike on the center stand, put it into gear and was able to duplicate the sound. Applying the rear brake made the sound go away.
I know I should replace the U-joint. But do you think the noise is indicative of a U-joint failure? Or is there something else I should be looking for?
Thanks for the help.

RaYzerman said:

You're likely getting the chucking from no load on the drive train. Yes try a little brake. With that much free play, you may have worn rubber dampers in the rear wheel, no panic, check them next time the wheel is off. A new set will do you wonders though.

Click to expand...

Bingo! I would try that first. With 176K on my ST I'm on my 4th set of dampers. YES they do clean up most of the noise, plus making shifting a lot better. MOP
Mike rides I believe 2 up. The X's I met him at BRG He had his wife with him.