Drive shaft and final gear maintenance

SPLINE LUBE
Pictures and Write-up by BMW Larry - Lube Rec by Ray Mayeux

This is instructions and locations to lubricate the drive shaft and final gear drive. This should be done any time the tire or wheel is replaced. Not doing this can cause serious problems and repairs. And I seriously urge everyone to check it out the first chance you get.

These are what the new Splines look like - from PATRICKR15 on the 650 Forum

 Here are some pictures of MajTom's bike after 26,000 miles It looks like Yamaha never did it.

Krytox GPL 223
-36 to 204°C
Krytox® GPL 220–227 anticorrosion greases are
white greases that contain 2% sodium nitrite. These
grades provide rust protection at ambient temperatures,
corrosion protection at high temperatures, and
antiwear protection.

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Mailed and spoke to ppl at DuPont, makers of Krytox - here is what I have learned...Dear Mr. Farquhar,


We received a notice from DuPont that you have indicated a problem with lubricating the splines on a motorcycle drive shaft. This application is similar to the lubrication of the splines on axles used in NASCAR. The splines fit into the wheels and allow the camber to change as they enter and exit the banked turns. This increases the severity of the application by adding sliding friction in the contact area.


A good number of the NASCAR teams use Krytox GPL 217 to address this issue. I have seen axles that use other lubricants and the splines are generally blue or coffee colored indicating the effects of high temperature – much as you would see on chips formed in the machining process. The axle lubricated with GPL-217 had no discoloration.


The “1” in the middle digit location of the product designation (217) indicates the addition of molybdenum disulfide to this grease. You may already be aware that MoSs is a solid lubricant with a plate-like structure. The best analogy I have heard for how it functions is to think of a deck of plastic playing cards. A significant amount of force can be applied straight down on the deck and it will still slip easily from side to side. It also has a strong affinity for metal and will leave a film even after the rest of the grease has gone.


The “2” in the first position indicates that the thickener is PTFE (Teflon). This holds it’s thickening ability to over 3150C. When most thickeners reach the point where they lose their efficacy, they allow the fluid to run out leaving only a thickener with little or no lubricating properties. Even when the PTFE begins to lose efficacy as a thickener, it continues to function as a lubricant.


The “7” in the last position indicates the viscosity of the PFPE fluid. In this case the fluid viscosity is 460 cSt @ 400C – the same as a heavy gear oil. This is the highest viscosity fluid in the GPL series. I believe we have had one race team use the GPL-215, but the GPL-217 is the more common choice for this application.
 

What I got from McMaster was XHT-AC grade...

Krytox® XHT greases are designed for applications
in the 204–399°C (400–750°F) temperature range
for use in bearings, gears, chains, O-rings, sliding,
and other mechanical components. These products
are excellent for use in many harsh industrial
applications and are currently used in mining, metal
processing, power generation, textile, aviation,
baking, and chemical applications. The addition of
the XHT line provides a broadening of the overall
Krytox® lubrication line to address long life lubrication
needs from –73°C (–100°F) to 399°C (750°F).

Standard Grades
XHT-S and XHT-SX
250–320°C (482–608°F)
Typical Applications: Small or large bearings with relatively high
speeds. Higher viscosity, lower evaporation of oil extends life.
Anticorrosion Grades

XHT-AC and ACX or XHT-RUF and RUFX
250–320°C (482–608°F)
Typical Applications: For machines that run for shorter duration
with frequent starts and stops. Frequently cooled machines
require anticorrosion additives.

Extra Bonding Grades
XHT-BD, BDX, and BDZ
300–400°C (572–752°F)
Typical Applications: For use when machine movement is
not purely rotational. This grease is non-melting for hightemperature
use and offers better adhesion to substrate.

Non-Melting Grades
XHT-NM and NMX
300–330°C (572–626°F)
Typical Applications: For slow moving applications at higher
temperatures.

http://gsgindustrial.com/detail.aspx?ID=168

 1.Remove the chrome piece on the left side of bike that
hides the swing arm and front area of the drive shaft.

2. Place bike on a lift and lift so that the rear tire is
just off the ground.

3. Remove the rear wheel as described in the manual.

4.The drive shaft will come out of the forward U joint.

5.Lift the bike higher to allow you to remove the entire
rear wheel and drive assembly.

6.Remove the 4 cap nuts and washers from the rear drive
assembly that hold the shaft into the rear drive.

7.Pull the front of the housing towards the front end of
the drive shaft, this will expose the rear end of the
shaft.

8.Pull the shaft out of the rear end coupling.

9.Pull the rubber boots from the coupling. Don't lose
the little spring inside of the rear shaft.

10.Grease all the spline ends and coupling ends with
Krytox High Temp lube. A little bit will do it, I use a
toothbrush to apply ( 3 spline ends and 3 coupling
ends).

11.  Reassemble and use a torque wrench to tighten
everything down properly according to FinalDrivealignProc1.pdf.

I slid the rear wheel and driveshaft assembly back
under the bike then lowered the bike carefully to
allow easier placement of the whole assembly back onto
the bike. You may need an assistant to help guide the
front end of the shaft back into the universal joint.
The wheel can be turned if need to align the front
spline to the front U joint.

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