Propeller Shaft Joint Lubricate

[VoyKimmer]

I have a 2002 VII with 19,000 miles on it. In the owners manual periodic maint chart it indicates that this should be done at 6000 miles also swing arm pivot lubricate. I have the rear tire off now and just drilled final drive vent hole. I was thinking that maybe I should do these lubrications now that I have the rear wheel off. It looks like this is a very difficult job according to the service manual and special tools are required. Any one ever do this? Is it really nessesary? Are there any hints or shortcuts I should know about. It also states in the manual to check head bolt torque every 3000 miles which no one ever does.

[VoyKimmer]

And how much would the dealer charge me? $200.00, $300.00, $1000.00? Last time I had the dealer do anything they stripped a bolt, Scratched my fender, Installed a defective part. In other words I don't trust the dealer. The old saying. If you want it done right do it yourself. To properly check the cyl head bolt torque you have to remove the cyl head covers. Big job and not easy unless you remove the engine. When I asked on the old forum this question I got numerous responces saying that it was not nessasary.

[Charlie from Illinois]

I'm sure there are good dealers around but the one I took my Voyager to last really did screw things up. It must have been a new mechanic or something but it does scare you off. Too bad we don't have a section for dealerships that are really good and do what they say.

[The Count]

Any dealership is just as any garage is. They are only as good as their best mechanic and only if he is the one working on your machine. There are many dealerships out there and many mechanics but few of those mechanics are in the excellent catagory. Being an auto mechanic for quite a few years I have worked with a few very good ones but most I wouldn't trust with a tricycle. This is why I try to do all my own work whether I know what I'm doing or not and why I trailered my bike clear down to Tenn. so Carl could fix my tranny issue.....

[VoyKimmer]

Larry,

No I don't have my mind made up. I am simply asking a question. I want to do it myself. It just looks difficult and I don't trust the dealer. I am not trying to start an argument. See my statement below. I just want different oppinions.

Thanks
Kim

( I was thinking that maybe I should do these lubrications now that I have the rear wheel off. It looks like this is a very difficult job according to the service manual and special tools are required. Any one ever do this?)

(Are there any hints or shortcuts I should know about.)

[The Count]

It's not that big of a job to pull the swing arm and driveshaft. If you have the rear tire off you are half way there already. I had mine apart last year. Give it a whirl. If you run into problems shoot me a landline and I will try to help. 330-703-7282.....The Count

[VoyKimmer]

Well I performed this task this past weekend along with the swingarm Lube and I can see that if I have done it before it would have been much easier. For instance there are many things that are not mentioned in the service manuel.

1. Right side of swingarm has a cap over the pin that needs to be pried out to get the bolt in. Looking at it it looks like a solid piece.

2. When pulling out the driveshaft it says in the manuel to position so that you can push in on the pin to release the driveshaft. It does not mention that the pin will come flying out when pulling out the driveshaft and it took searching my garage for 3 hour looking for and luckily finding the pin.

These are just a couple of items not to mention several more. Needless to say it took me 3 days to complete. I will not be performing this task for another 5 years. If it lasted this long with no lube. It will last much longer after the lube.

[cruiserduke]

Thanks Kim for going ahead with the project and sharing your experience. That will be a big help to me and others I am sure. I need to do the same servicing.
Duke

2002 Voy XII