Tech issue question, driveshaft/swingarm

[Thud300]

Questions for the knowledgeable and experienced Voyager XII hive mind...

Shopping for replacement parts (driveshaft and final drive) for my 91, and I'm recalling there was an issue with the U-joint in post-2000 models? Are 86 parts compatible, as I see quite a few of those on eBay.

Also, thinking about the swingarm shafts. They both came out fairly easily, but nothing appears to retain the one on the left side and the single adjuster is on the right side? Just wondering if a PO missed something... they certainly missed lubing the driveshaft spline...

[ekap1200]

Questions for the knowledgeable and experienced Voyager XII hive mind...

Shopping for replacement parts (driveshaft and final drive) for my 91, and I'm recalling there was an issue with the U-joint in post-2000 models? Are 86 parts compatible, as I see quite a few of those on eBay.

Also, thinking about the swingarm shafts. They both came out fairly easily, but nothing appears to retain the one on the left side and the single adjuster is on the right side? Just wondering if a PO missed something... they certainly missed lubing the driveshaft spline...

There is a plate with screws holding the pin in the left side. I have said and posted this many times. All one needs to do FIRST---- is to download the repair manual from our member Mr Jensee.... Second sign up to ANY online parts dealer and register. That will give you the option of looking at the parts breakdown and part numbers. And some will even list if that part is used on another application, As such an example the rear wheel spline has several application that may have made it worthwhile for Kaw to continue making it, so for a heafty price it may still be listed as available. We enjoy helping out , but you guys have got to do some homework also. And it makes it better for us to help you's if you can explain your issues better and become more aware of what is what and where it goes and what is missing...
As far as the driveline goes, the newer the better. As long as it has not been abused , These big bikes are TOURING bikes, and a steady diet of pounding 87 horse power to the bike the sooner many things will fail. Who knows how many miles an 86 may have on it. If I owned one it would have over 2 hundred thousand on it at the least.
Make sure that whoever sells you a final drive knows how to properly ship it...... Many have been broken in transit, it should be secured to a peice of plywood and secured with a bolt to keep the outer perimeter from getting damaged, And when you receive it , DO not worry that there may be some play in the input to it. it doe's not have tapered bearings on the pinion. Just a needle and a ball bearing, is what that shaft is running in. AND yet another reason the Voyager can not be hammered like a chain drive bike....
Hope this sheds some light on this and other issues you have or may encounter in the future, and keep looking , and posting and those parts can and will be found. Make sure to use a good water proof grease in the splined coupler with NEW O-Rings, I have two drive shafts here but both need a new u-joint. A hefty price for that joint at over 100.00 without the four clips. It is not listed but comes from a prairie 4-wheeler and is the same casting number and an EXACT fit, Not close as the cheep ones with a grease fitting in the cup are. Good hunting and keep posting.
Gene Kap.

[Thud300]

Thanks Gene, and great advice on shipping a final drive.

The manual was already downloaded and has been very valuable in my repairs on this bike, and I have Partzilla as well, so thank you to you and Mr. Jensee for helping me to keep this bike on the road.

The bike came apart just as the parts explosion showed, perhaps I was overthinking on that.

[ekap1200]

Thanks Gene, and great advice on shipping a final drive.

The manual was already downloaded and has been very valuable in my repairs on this bike, and I have Partzilla as well, so thank you to you and Mr. Jensee for helping me to keep this bike on the road.

The bike came apart just as the parts explosion showed, perhaps I was overthinking on that.

I just checked with ( bikebandit ) they list a 49050-1002 U-Joint for 87.25 but the 4 clips are a gamble , as I don't know what they would measure out at. their p/n for the prairie is 92033-1030, at 2.95 each. If they; are too thick they can be put on a surface grinder and brought down to the proper thickness. I have a good shaft / yoke / and slip joint. You would need a u-joint and still find the 2 -O-rings needed for the slip joint, and your final drive Is the conical spring still there and the pin for the front yoke ?
And a word of wisdom, too much grease installed into the u-joint cup , will make it impossible to install the cups all the way. The excess grease will do nothing more that pop the seal out as you press the cups home in the yoke. Sorry I don't have any other items you need , I was hoping someone would chime in. Still keep looking for a low mileage shaft, it will be cheeper but a larger gamble. I did my shaft back in 2012 so I do have quite a bit of miles on the new u-joint. I don't like to gamble too much on used parts with ;unknown abuse..... It seem like good parts are getting a bit rare, I have been looking for a 2002 upper cowl with no luck whatsoever now for 6 weeks
Gene Kap.

[Barry]

I just checked with ( bikebandit ) they list a 49050-1002 U-Joint for 87.25 but the 4 clips are a gamble , as I don't know what they would measure out at. their p/n for the prairie is 92033-1030, at 2.95 each. If they; are too thick they can be put on a surface grinder and brought down to the proper thickness.
Gene Kap.

After talking with you this morning, I managed to remove the U-joint from my spare driveshaft. 2 of the cups on the same axis have bad bearings, so it looks like I will be ordering some parts. I see aftermarket U-joints with grease fittings. I don't like that idea since the factory U-joint is solid. Does the OEM Prairie U-joint have grease fittings? Did you receive the clips that you ordered? Are they the correct thickness? I took the slip joint apart. Cleaning it up sure took longer than expected. For that matter, I will be finishing it up in the morning. Just taking my time.

Thanks Gene for your helpful advice.

[ekap1200]

Hello from NJ, It was nice to hear from you yesterday, I should have gave you the part numbers of the 4 clips. Give me a call in an hour or so . I am getting a late start today, 3 full days out and about wore me out.
Gene Kap

[cranky]

.. the rest of us might want to know the part numbers... hint... hint... GBG

[ekap1200]

.. the rest of us might want to know the part numbers... hint... hint... GBG

The 4 clips sold 1 in each package ( 92033-1030 ) the u-joint is still a 49050-1002

I just talked to Barry , he said it was real fun removing the u-joint

[Barry]

While waiting for the U-joint, clips & O-rings to arrive, I removed the coupling that is at the other end of the driveshaft. That was another pain as the C-clip is difficult to remove, especially with all the old hardened grease. Long story short: Once I had the coupling removed and cleaned up, I discovered that the internal gear teeth that connect to the pinion shaft were more than 60% gone! I guess the previous owner never greased or did any kind of service. I talked with both Gene and Carl. Carl suggested I just use the coupling that is currently in my bike when I get ready to swap out the driveshaft. Gene thinks I may find a bad coupling since I pulled a heavy trailer so many miles and never took it apart fort maintenance. Only 76,000 miles with maybe 30-40,000 with trailer in tow. So that's what I plan to do later this winter when I pull the swingarm for I & R purposes. Hopefully I will find a good coupling.