Drive shaft front gaitor issue

[Dunblane56]

Hi one and all.
I have been doing some routine maintenance and inspecting and greasing the drive shaft was one thing on my list.

Got the drive shaft out ok but I am having real difficulty in getting the front gaitor to sit correctly.
This is not a lot of room to see what is going on.

If you are looking at the right side of the bike at the drive unit, the gaitor is on the right matching up to the gear box where it is held by a zip tie (this end is ok) and it is meant to sit in the drive unit, well it does not

Any ideas ??

Laurence

 

[ninjarich1971]

There is a plastic ring which sits inside the gaiter which when all is in place correctly forces it tightly inside the swing arm on the wheel side of the gaiter. I had exactly the same problem in as much as the plastic ring came out and I couldn't get the bloody thing back in for love or money. The only option really is to pull the drive shaft back off and remove the gaiter with the ring and install it properly and then gently replace the whole lot getting the ring in place correctly. It's a technique thing not a feat of strength, I nearly resorted to smashing other stuff up as I have a very short tolerance level. You do need to get it in correctly though as it keeps it splash proof. Good luck and enjoy the rest of your evening

 

[Steptoe]

The gaiter has to fit into the swingarm first then you fit it into the gearbox.

 

[Dunblane56]

OK seems I have been doing it the wrong way.
I'll remove all and start again and sort the gaitor on to the Swing Arm first

Thanks for all your advice (s)

 

[Dunblane56]

Oh and by the way are there any tricks to aligning the shaft and getting enough visability with the gaitor fitted properly

Laurence

 

[ninjarich1971]

You need to have the back of the gaiter out of the swing arm so you can get your chubby little fingers in to get it on the shaft. If the shaft is a little stiff then it will hold itself at a slight angle so you can align it. Then slide it on and give it a tap with a copper hammer or rubber mallet to force the snap ring over. It is a ball ache with the gaiter but time and patience is the key not bull at a gate.

 

[Dunblane56]

Jesus H Christ what a bloody palava.
3 attempts to get everything in the right place in the right condition.
Took just over 2 hours and that included inventing some "pull the gaitor back and hold there with bungy straps" items.
I'll be keeping them for another day, anyway done now and all is nice and greasy
Thanks again for help and advice

Laurence

 

[Steptoe]

Jesus H Christ what a bloody palava.
3 attempts to get everything in the right place in the right condition.
Took just over 2 hours and that included inventing some "pull the gaitor back and hold there with bungy straps" items.
I'll be keeping them for another day, anyway done now and all is nice and greasy
Thanks again for help and advice

Laurence

It's a 5 minute job - hold the final dtive end of the shaft and with a long thin screwdriver reach past the front gaiter insert screwdriver into the front U/J and guide it onto the splines of the gearbox output shaft. Push on and when in place hit the rear of the driveshaft to fully locate it into place. The only difficult part is You've gotta have a strong grip to be able to hold the end of the drive shaft upright in the driveshaft while you position it. If you do office work you may have a problem