reassembling the fd onto the swingarm, is there a trick to it?

[ducatiparts.110mb]

05 1150GA - Part way through replacing the swingarm, and am having problems getting the UJ on the FD to line up with the driveshaft and slide onto its splines so I can get the FD back on.

Seems like theres very little room for a finger to guide it and the UJ allows the splined shaft to fall all over the place rather than stay aligned with the drive shaft in the swingarm.

I've seen that there is one wide spline to locate the UJ, and have got this correctly aligned with its partner on the driveshaft, so it isn't this thats stopping it.

Any words from the wise would be appreciated. Thanks, Mark.

 

[Timolgra]

Make sure the 'master spline is lined up on the ADV.
I use two thin rods to hold the shaft central or you can push a length of rag under it to hold it up.

It either drops in the first couple of attempts or you have to swear at it until it gives in

 

[MattW]

05 1150GA - Part way through replacing the swingarm, and am having problems getting the UJ on the FD to line up with the driveshaft and slide onto its splines so I can get the FD back on.

Seems like theres very little room for a finger to guide it and the UJ allows the splined shaft to fall all over the place rather than stay aligned with the drive shaft in the swingarm.

I've seen that there is one wide spline to locate the UJ, and have got this correctly aligned with its partner on the driveshaft, so it isn't this thats stopping it.

Any words from the wise would be appreciated. Thanks, Mark.

I wedged the driveshaft up so that it was central in the swingarm using a balled up rag, leaving the end of the rag hanging out of the swing arm. I could then get the Fd located onto the shaft and before it was fully home, pull the rag out using the tail I'd left hanging out.

If you see what I mean....

Edit: Timolgra beat me to it

 

[Colban]

As well as resting the drive shaft on rags/bits of twigs etc,pull it forward a short way (without pulling it off the end of the g/box spline) and also at the drive end.With a bit of luck and jiggery-pokery,you should be able to see the ends line up squarely and get it pushed in without the paralever bearings falling out.

 

[Paul Young]

I watched Roy Gardner when he swapped mine around & it was black magic he used... Not really, but it was certainly one of those "WTF didn't I see that coming...?"

He used two of the wheel bolts finger tightened into their holes in the FD, sat down & lined up the units then rotated the bolts until the splines lined up & it all slid together

 

[Canuck]

Yup, here too.... shaft up on a rag and guided the end in the end on the FD housing with an old bent screwdriver! Took ages to get it the first time.... after that it is easier. I found it easier to locate when to match up the splines then lift up the FD housing so that it slides 'up and in' on its fixed axis.

I know that sounds bad ...



edit... yup to the bolts too to turn the shaft end!

 

[Steptoe]

As above, and attach the FD to the torque arm so you only have to swing it up and not support any weight.

 

[robc]

It's a real basket to get the things lines up. Once you've done it they just slip together easily.

I was used to it taking time, effort and swearing. On the one occasion I got it all lined up perfectly first time and it slipped together with no effort I pulled the thing off again because I thought I'd missed. DOH!

I had to do it 4 times a short while back - in a badly lit garage too which makes things a bit worse.

The one top tip I did discover is attaching the thing to the torque arm as Steptoe mentioned. Makes life easier.

Regards

Rob C

 

[Steptoe]

Another thing - make sure the paralever inner bearing race doesn't fall out just as you slot it together.

 

[robc]

Been there with that one too.

Regards

Rob C

 

[ducatiparts.110mb]

Many thanks for all the replies, I'll shove a rag in there tonight to help get it all lined up.

Attaching the torque arm sounds good too, last night I was holding the weight of the FD until I couldn't manage it any longer then standing up and cracking my head on the bottom edge of the overhanging number plate. Several times.

 

[MattW]

then standing up and cracking my head on the bottom edge of the overhanging number plate. Several times.

Oh - how I've not done that over and over again while doing this job...

I think I have a permanent number plate shaped dent in my head

 

[Timolgra]

Another thing - make sure the paralever inner bearing race doesn't fall out just as you slot it together.

onto the dirty floor

 

[DrAlf]

As above really - have used the rag trick and wheel bolts in the FD to spin the shaft. Not an easy job. Make sure you have the rubber CV boot in place before fitting the FD

 

[Wrigsby1]

Oh - how I've not done that over and over again while doing this job...

I think I have a permanent number plate shaped dent in my head

Also, nearly pushing your bike off the stand with this or replacing the gearbox when you get pissed off is also another good thing to avoid

And how is it that you assembly easily and then think "oh, the grease" and when you grease it, it's a bitch and you drop bits (bearing bits!) on the floor...

 

[davegs]

Bevel box

Get a little key ring type torech (led) these shine right in the hole als get a head torch LED shines just where your looking.
Dave GS

 

[ducatiparts.110mb]

Make sure you have the rubber CV boot in place before fitting the FD

Thanks for this one. I had already double checked that it was in place, but only because the swingarm had to come out after the first time I fitted it and found the output shaft bellows was still on the workbench.

Planning to have another go at it today, so it'll either be cheerleaders or formation swearing this afternoon.