gaiter

what is the correct way to fit a new final drive gaiter, assuming the engine has not been removed, lot of head scratching here?

 

is anybody there?

 

Not ever having done this,my best guess would be to remove the swingarm,replace the boot,er,uh,gaiter,and assemble in reverse order.
Maybe someone else can offer up a better suggestion.

Best of luck to you!

 

Yep, remove the swingarm. There is a chance that you can remove the rear tire, shocks and four bolts on the u-joint and slide the boot on. But that is just one step from removing the swingarm. All that would be left to remove are the swingarm nuts. This would be a good time to regrease the swingarm bearings. When reassembling remember to tighten the left swingarm nut first and then set the preload with the left one. The preload setting is 1.5 to 2 ftlbs. Easy way to do this is to use an allen head socket which are made for brakes and a long 3/8 drive ratchet or pry handle. Measure 12 inches up from the center of the 3/8 drive and make a mark. Attach a cheap fish scale found at Wal-Mart for about $5 and pull the handle from the mark until it reaches 1.5 lbs. At 12 inches from the center this would be 1.5 ftlbs on the bearing. Then holding the allen screw tighten the retaining nut. Mine uses a 27mm socket which a regular allen wrench will fit through and then tighten the nut with a cresent wrench on the end of the 27mm socket. If your socket won't accept the wrench then a pair of vise grips with work.

 

drive shaft should be on a spline!!

 

Yes the drive shaft is on a spline that fits into the u-joint inside the swingarm end. The rubber gaitor or boot fits over the u-joint and swingarm end. Removing the drive shaft will only make it easier to remove the swingarm and won't allow the boot to slip on.

 

what i meant was if the shaft could slide back 1/2 inch thats all it takes to get the boot on / off. but i am only being whistfull.