U-Joint Experts? Suspected U-Joint Failing@152K

crazykz

R.I.P. - 2012/06/16
Rest In Peace
Joined
Dec 8, 2004
Messages
1,435
Location
Pewaukee, WI
Bike
2007 ST1300A
STOC #
5137
Hi All,

I've been hearing some growling from the transmission area when running in gear. Final drive doesn't seem to have any slop in it at all when moving the wheel in neutral. I dropped it off at the dealer and they suspect the u-joint.

Anyone have experience in this area? Is this a pull the engine repair?

Curt

Here's the note I left for the service people:
SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOTES (sorry about explaining this with sound
effects in an email)

I believe there is a problem with the transmission. The bike is
driveable for diagnosis. A quick ride going up through the gears will
probably reveal the problem. If not then here's a write up on what
I'm experiencing.

When you go up through the gears you will hear/feel it clunk into gear
but when you let out the clutch you will hear/feel another subtle
clunk. The clunk isn't as pronounced as when it's going into gear.
It sounds like it's taking the slack out of the drive train when the
clutch is released.

At speed I can hear a grumbling noise occasionally. At lower speeds
if you're on and off the throttle slightly you can feel/hear a subtle
clunk. If you slightly adjust the throttle when trying to hold a
speed in 4th or 5th you can feel a vibration from the engine when
trying to maintain a constant speed. When you're off the throttle it
doesn't seem to have the issue.

If you run the bike up to 80 MPH you'll start to feel a vibration
coming from the lower engine. You'll feel it in the footpegs. Maybe
there's a suspension issue somewhere also but the vibration seems to
be more of the same that I feel at lower speeds. The vibration
doesn't affect the handling but you feel it in the footpegs and a
little in the handlebars. It's very disturbing.

Another way to hear/feel the issue is to go over a small rise at speed
where the bike lofts slightly. You'll feel and/or hear a grumbling
noise. I'm not sure why that is but it's another way to recreate the
problem. I'm not talking about jumping the bike off a ramp. I just
mean going over a rise where you feel yourself lifting out of the
seat. It doesn't take much. Maybe it's due to the angle of the final
drive when you come over a rise. Maybe running it in gear on the
center stand will do the same thing. I didn't try that.

That's the best I can describe the issue but again I think it will be
obvious with a short test drive.
 
Last edited:
I seem to recall hearing of an 1100 owner that had one go. On the 1300, I don't think you even have to pull the swingarm, but rear drive must come off. Not an engine pull, in any case. Someone will confirm, I'm sure.

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it.

Curt
 
:::::austin appears on stage and as all knows,,, he is only here to stir trouble:::::

Thank you for asking my opinion on what is the problem...

My Opinion???

You quit using Rotella Synthetic Motor Oil...

::::: a well applied,,, perfectly placed arse kicking date will be set to let Curt catch up on his application to austin:::::
 
There's a U-joint just in front of the swingarm pivot bolts... looks like removing the wheel, then a few other bolts, then the swingarm itself gets access to it... not at all an engine removal issue... I was thinking there was also a u-joint near the final drive but that doesn't seem to be the case, just one. Looks like a pretty easy replace.
 
the st1300 service manual says you must remove the swingarm and then remove the universal joint from the swingarm. from what you described it does sound like a u-joint going.
mike
 
Thanks for the opinions. I tend to post before I do my own research but the parts manual points it out pretty clearly.

I'm wondering if I should have any other parts replaced while they are pulling that.

I really hope that is the case. I think the high speed vibration points more towards the U-joint and the fact that I get this issue in any gear.

Curt
 
Thanks for the opinions. I tend to post before I do my own research but the parts manual points it out pretty clearly.

I'm wondering if I should have any other parts replaced while they are pulling that.

I really hope that is the case. I think the high speed vibration points more towards the U-joint and the fact that I get this issue in any gear.

Curt

Swingarm bearings for sure... can't think of anything else other than the entire final drive... but, other than inspection, I don't see a reason for that.
 
Swingarm bearings for sure... can't think of anything else other than the entire final drive... but, other than inspection, I don't see a reason for that.

Swingarm bearings seems like a good one to get for sure so I'll mention that.

Thanks,
Curt
 
if you have someone else do the work make sure that they use the proper lube. the book calls for moly grease on all splines and regular ep grease on the swingarm bearings.
mike
 
You should be able to get this fixed in a matter of days Curt!!!

Be interesting on what is covered under warranty,,, and if they try to shake out of it...

This has more good news in it that appears than the Packer/Favre fiasco I am reading up on... :(

Don't derail my thread dammit!!! :D

Yeah I'm really hoping that is the case. Pulling the swingarm is a lot easier than pulling the engine.

I don't think warranty will be an issue for this place. They have never given me an issue about that and that is one of the main reasons I stick with them.

So I'll put in a shameless plug for them:


Curt
 
See you did it Terry!!!! You derailed my thread. Now no one will post in this thread. Damn you ACL!!!


hee hee :D
Curt
 
See you did it Terry!!!! You derailed my thread. Now no one will post in this thread. Damn you ACL!!!


hee hee :D
Curt

<sound of crickets..........chirp......chirp.... >
 
If any warranty, let the dealer handle.

I had a U-joint failure on my 1991 ST1100 in August 2005 at 56,864. Symptoms were vibration in lower power train. In Red Lodge, Mt, the bike was put on the center stand, put in 1st gear, rotate rear tire forward and backward, felt notch in drive line, then sight movement accompanying noise in front of swing arm area. Drove 1,770 miles home to Houston. Disassemblied, 2 cross bearings were broken and had rusty dust on them. Replaced complete drive shaft assembly, about $260.

I don't think the ST1100 and ST1300 are much different.
 
Lunch is Schlotzsky's for me. :)

Man,,, I use to eat at the "Corporate Office' in Austin Texas at Schlotzsky's!!! The main man who owned the company I use to set and talk too!!!

The Taller Tables at the stores??? He told me that they are busy about 70% more than the lower tables...

Man,,, I miss those as there are none around here anymore...

Well,,, I am glad we had this talk... :D
 
So, Terry.

Is it still Ice Tea season up there in the upper Midwest, or are you starting into Cider?

Tea season never ends, here:)

Since getting hooked on $1 sweet teas at Mc Donalds,,, I will drink those clean up to November I am sure...

I will update you all on if after November,,, I am still drinking Sweet Tea!!!:D
 
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