08 Drive Shaft Splines and Grease

[gregory]

Greetings all,

Just wanted to update everybody on the state of the drive shaft splines in my 08. There was little to no moly on the shaft. Remember to check yours!

Greg

 

[El Toro]

Greetings all,
Just wanted to update everybody on the state of the drive shaft splines in my 08. There was little to no moly on the shaft. Remember to check yours!

Looks OK to me. How much are people expecting to find?

 

[gregory]

not really sure, but it seems that the prevailing thought is that they are somewhat dry from the factory

clicky

 

[El Toro]

not really sure, but it seems that the prevailing thought is that they are somewhat dry from the factory
clicky

Yeah, I know folks are saying they're dry. Now I'm wondering how reliable the reports are. These are most likely involute splines, and there should be good load sharing, so whatever grease you pack in there will squeeze out from the coupling and leave a film... as it appears has happened with yours. You've got enough to show spline marks in grease from withdrawal.

I'm just curious how much folks think ought to be in there.

 

[Ignacio]

Yep. Looks totally fine to me.

Remember, they put a light oil from the factory, not moly.

The really important thing....no rust.

 

[GPRIDER]

Those look positively wet compared to the first time I took my 04 apart to check them. I'd go ahead and regrease while you got it apart though.

GP

 

[CRMH Eagle]

I did my 07 last month with 2800 miles. No rust but little grease. If it weren't for Warchild's notice of this on his www I wouldn't have known.

 

[ngarider]

My 08 was good from the factory. The 05 was not.

And it doesn't take much at all. Overdo it, and watch it all squeeze out and coat your wheel.

 

[angus]

I pulled the drive shaft out of my 05 at 23,000 it looked like yours which was fine I cleaned it and re-greased it. Which gave me some peace of mind.

 

[Mooseonagoose]

Picked up a staple in the rear tire on my '08 @ ~200mi. [ I just love tossing an expensive low mile tire in the bin, ...damn!] Since I had the wheel off anyhow & had read all the warnings, I decided to pull the dif & see for myself. The shaft spline while not by any means over lubed was probably passable, the rear drive pair however were in my opinion needy, so I cleaned'em did'em up w/ ProHonda Moly60 paste since the NAFO run could prove to be some hi-temp riding w/ a heavy load.

 

[blue04fjr]

Greetings all,
Just wanted to update everybody on the state of the drive shaft splines in my 08. There was little to no moly on the shaft. Remember to check yours!

Looks OK to me. How much are people expecting to find?

Finally! Someone who gets it.

I've beat this subject to death (I had hoped) previously, but to sum things up: you're exactly correct. I'ts got PLENTY of lube where it counts.

 

[FJRottie]

I suspect that the highly reported insufficient amount, was mainly on the Gen 1 FJRs.

 

[Oldwin1]

I suspect that the highly reported insufficient amount, was mainly on the Gen 1 FJRs.

The problem was it was random and some failed.

 

[gr8eyes]

I don't recall any drive shaft failures, I'll have to do the research. I've been following the boards since spring of 02 and don't remember any failures. Well ..........there was 1 fellow named Gilbo on the Euro board that had his fluid leak out onto his back tire causing him to go down on a roundabout. Was that a long enough sentence? LOL

 

[BwanaDik]

I'm beginning to agree with assessment's like El Toro's and ngarider. It's probably fine the way it is. I took mine apart at about 10,000 miles and, while not looking dry, there didn't seem to be much lube on them. No rust though. Haven't done the calcs but they may be a lot lighter loaded than we all think. The service manager at Cycle Shack North said they've maintained several at the shop with +60,000 miles on them and no issues. If in doubt, or to simple feel better, put a light coat of the Honda moly lube on them and recheck in another 20,000 miles or so.

I'm a little more anal retentive about the splines because I had a K75S that ate drive shafts and differentials regularly if you didn't clean and repack the whole thing every 15,000 miles or so.