A plea for help. Haaaalp!

Jun 07, 2014 08:05

So the chain/sprocket replacement is continuing to not go well, and I have a question for the greasemonkeys on the list who may have an answer to this ( Read more... )

Leave a comment

feyala June 7 2014, 19:13:32 UTC
I'm not a mechanic, but I have done this on my bike. First, you want to make sure they aren't upside down. If the hole for the tab goes down further, just flip 'em. Look at the surface on the sprocket side and see if there are any protrusions that won't be able to fit into the hub in the current configuration. If everything looks like it'll lock together like a puzzle, you're fine.

The cush rubbers seem to shrink as they age, so the new ones will be much more snug than your old ones, depending on their age. When I replaced mine, I inserted them into the hub and then gently tapped the sprocket face with a rubber mallet until it seated. The lip of the hub never completely closed flush against the other surface, but I think this is by design, the whole point of a cush drive is to allow flexing.

I had to use that mallet quite a bit before the whole package was slim enough to fit back in my swingarm.

While you have it apart (every time you have a wheel off imo), check the bearings in the wheel on both sides, push down with your finger and make sure they rotate smoothly. If they feel gritty at all, change them. Seized wheel bearings are no bueno. I also like to give the axle a very light coating of grease to prevent corrosion as I slip it back in.

Make sure you don't forget to replace the wheel spacers, if any, in the correct sides or your tire will be misaligned and you will hate life. Good luck! :)

Reply

patch_bunny June 7 2014, 19:58:09 UTC
Is there any particular grease I should use/avoid? I have a tube of white grease, but that's not what's in there now.

Reply

feyala June 8 2014, 07:47:29 UTC
I use the high temperature bearing grease, the purple stuff in a can from autozone for $2 but the axle shouldn't be wearing too much on the inside, so it isn't really critical. You just want something in there to help it slide in and out and to keep it from getting all corroded in there.

Reply

feyala June 8 2014, 07:50:39 UTC
Just make sure you don't use a lot of it, whatever you use. You want a light coating, smear some on a paper towel and use that.

Reply

nrasser June 9 2014, 03:36:06 UTC
Those are made of grease-stable rubber. You can use assembly lube, white grease, wheel bearing grease or even Vaseline.

I'll second the mallet, that's how I get them in. You can deburr the lugs on the sprocket a bit with a file or grinding stone to make them easier to shove in without cutting up the rubber. As long as you just round the edges a little it won't affect the design at all.

Reply

patch_bunny June 9 2014, 05:05:35 UTC
It's close to what I finally did. I trimmed off the flashing with an X-acto knife, which gave me a little more room. I applied some dish soap to the edges, and the whole thing slid together with firm hand pressure.

Once the replacement hoses arrive for the fuel system I'll get that done and take it out for a test ride. Thanks all for the help!

Reply

nrasser June 9 2014, 20:55:12 UTC
Good to hear! Those drive cushions can be a PITA. Soap is generally the safe bet for rubber slip fits anywhere, just remember to hose it off the tires if you use it while changing. A shop I went to forgot that small important step and I biffed the first corner I took afterwards :P

Reply


Leave a comment

Up