Changing the final drive oil

[SkooterG]

Just thought I would share advice I got from a reputable service manager from Yamaha who rides an FJR.........

Well, Zach may be a great guy and a wonderful tech, but one of you two has your numbers way off, and regardless, he is a bit anal.

In the great scheme of things, do whatever make you feel all warm and fuzzy, but................

Yamaha's repacement schedule for the final drive is like 16,000 miles not 8,000 as you stated above. Replacing it every 4,000 miles is completely ridiculous IMHO. But if it gives you that warm-n-fuzzy, go right ahead.

Interesting that Zach will replace the final drive 12,000 miles before Yamaha recommends, but then goes cheap on the fluid he uses.

For the FJR, Yamaha recommends an oil different from the normal 'Yamaha Driveshaft Oil' that you mention above. For the FJR, they recommend this specific stuff (Note use of 'FJR1300' in description), and unfortunately, it ain't $9.95 a pint:

Everybody has their own opinions on this stuff, but I think it would have been nice if Zach would have provided the correct replacement schedule and the proper oil that Yamaha calls for.

 

[FJRski]

Is it a good idea to use a crush washer on the filler plug?

 

[Ignacio]

Is it a good idea to use a crush washer on the filler plug?

Only if you don't want to risk it leaking and splooging on your rear rim.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Let's not string up Zac so fast. 1st I'd like to hear his view, 2nd, he is definitely one of the best friends of FJR owners around these parts. He has helped more tickers than anyone else and he does it without hesitation, or need to run the owner through an obstacle course to get things done. He also helps FJR owners travelling through area on short notice. He also reported back on the '07 surge issue having experienced it on some test rides.

If he changes final drive too often don't string him up. Heck, I'd rather do it more often than required.

The manual does say change at the 600 and 16,000 mile mark, and says check at 8,000 miles. I know from my servicing, it get's done every 8,000 miles at Roseville Yamaha. They charge me under $10. They told me that it is more often than recommended and I asked them to do it anyway. I will confirm the type of fluid that I have been getting, but I seem to remember seeing a FJR on the lable. We'll see. For under $10, I don't mind changing things more often than required. Twice as often as recommended seems a bit much, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't hurt!

 

[CISCO]

Dang Im tired but I guess Ovale dragged me in here so Ill do my once a quarter contributaion to the Forum.......and to a Never-Ending Pointless Recurring Thread of all things? I say what I say from experience only, Im not the guru or the OZ of FJR's, take it for what its worth. I will not counter your offensive on this oil thread as they never end with solid conclusion :assassin:

Yes Yamaha recomends an expensive synthetic blend of Gear oil for the final drive. Sure....replace it every 16K if you wish.

My shop doesnt do what Yamaha recomends on many services. I usually EXCEED their frequency recomendations on many minor service points....not to make more money....but to be diligent on maintenance which IMO averts failure.

At 4K mi, more times than not when draining final drive housings, a nice stream of fine metal shavings comes out with the oil. Sometimes more or less...but its there. I personally, (which is where some of my service decisions come from), feel that more frequent oil changes on ANYTHING, will prolong the life of the oiled component.

So with that in mind, why charge for the spendy synthetic that Yamaha wishes to slosh around for 16K miles with your ring gear shavings, when it will be removed on your next service? I charge 9.95 per quart of standard Hyoid 80/90 GL4/5, the FJR takes around 300ml costing $3.30 in oil, plus 15 minutes of labor......not a bad investment if you ask me.

With that said, the so called "cheap" or non synthetic gear oil I use works just fine if changed with frequency, not exceeding 8K miles.

I run this same fluid in most differentials, I even used to put it in in my Toyota differential. Its good stuff.

Find me an oil related failure using Yamalube shaft dive fluid, or any Yamalube product in any of my service bikes and I may change my thoughts.

Ovale your diff has 50K plus correct?

Anyow, see you at your next service!

Z

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

You mean, I've been getting the cheap oil? :lol:

Yep, close to 50k on my bike.

 

[SkooterG]

First of all Andrew, I wasn't stringing anybody up. Just trying to clarify fact from fiction for anybody that doesn't know any better. And remember my line, "If it gives you a warm fuzzy........"

I personally, (which is where some of my service decisions come from), feel that more frequent oil changes on ANYTHING, will prolong the life of the oiled component.

A rhetorical question: If changing at 4,000 will prolong the life, then hell, changing at 2,000 will prolong it even more, no? Or how about 1,000? Do I hear 500? Where does the madness end?

So with that in mind, why charge for the spendy synthetic that Yamaha wishes to slosh around for 16K miles with your ring gear shavings, when it will be removed on your next service?

Devil's advocate says: Because it's better stuff. And better is better, right? Even if for only 4,000 miles. Why pinch pennies when it comes to your beloved final drive?

Find me an oil related failure using Yamalube shaft dive fluid, or any Yamalube product in any of my service bikes and I may change my thoughts.

Good point. The design is solid enough that you can run any decent oil through it without any problems. So......... why change early? I mean, you dont' hear of ANY oil related failures WHATSOEVER. Even from the few who undoubtedly go significantly past the suggested change interval.

I ain't an automotive engineer with expertise in final drives. So in this case, I don't try to act like I know better than the Yammie engineers and generally follow their guidelines. This is not a slight on you Zach (or radman). If it give's you a warm fuzzy.............

Now stepping off my soapbox, with 132,000 miles on my FJR's final drive. Changing it around 12-15k with the special Yammie Whale Jizz, or the Mobil 1 75W-90 depending on which suits my mood better that day.

Gotta love the oil threads.

 

[madmike2]

Gotta love the oil threads.

Gotta love all "Never-Ending Pointless Recurring Threads"! They really bring out the "Best" in people....

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

<snip> I personally, (which is where some of my service decisions come from), feel that more frequent oil changes on ANYTHING, will prolong the life of the oiled component. Ovale your diff has 50K plus correct?

SkooterG:<snip> "Just trying to clarify fact from fiction....."

I've nearly 50K on my rear drive (it's not a 'differential') w/just one lube change (early on and to a lube of my choice -- not Yam).

So.....what does that mean? :huh: :blink:

 

[C&C]

I've nearly 50K on my rear drive (it's not a 'differential') w/just one lube change (early on and to a lube of my choice -- not Yam). So.....what does that mean? :huh: :blink:

It probably means that you'll be fine. There is a lot less going on in the rear gear than an actual differential. It doesn't require the number of changes that a lot of riders are advocating (of course it doesn't hurt, and it is such an easy service that, that is why it is probably being done so much). And to tell you the truth, I have probably over done the changes myself; probably have changed it three or four times in my 17,000 miles.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

First of all Andrew, I wasn't stringing anybody up. Just trying to clarify fact from fiction for anybody that doesn't know any better. And remember my line, "If it gives you a warm fuzzy........"

I've never heard you be so mean.

 

[mike25]

I've got a few gallons of Redline "shockproof" gear oil sitting around (heavy and light weight).

I know it works great in a race car, and have been wondering about using it in the FJR. It might

help with some of the banging going on in the drive line.

Does anyone have any reasons or ideas why it may or may not work?

 

[mbrinitzer]

Just thought I would share advice I got from a reputable service manager from Yamaha who rides an FJR.........

Well, Zach may be a great guy and a wonderful tech, but one of you two has your numbers way off, and regardless, he is a bit anal.

In the great scheme of things, do whatever make you feel all warm and fuzzy, but................

Yamaha's repacement schedule for the final drive is like 16,000 miles not 8,000 as you stated above. Replacing it every 4,000 miles is completely ridiculous IMHO. But if it gives you that warm-n-fuzzy, go right ahead.

Interesting that Zach will replace the final drive 12,000 miles before Yamaha recommends, but then goes cheap on the fluid he uses.

For the FJR, Yamaha recommends an oil different from the normal 'Yamaha Driveshaft Oil' that you mention above. For the FJR, they recommend this specific stuff (Note use of 'FJR1300' in description), and unfortunately, it ain't $9.95 a pint:

Everybody has their own opinions on this stuff, but I think it would have been nice if Zach would have provided the correct replacement schedule and the proper oil that Yamaha calls for.

Thanks for the info and the pic, I appreciate it. Now I know what I am looking for too. I realize now that both the parts person and the service manager gave me incorrect information. I started at the parts counter asking for the final drive oil for a 2006 FJR, after looking it up in the "manual", they thought what I had picked up off the shelf was the correct product, not too reassuring though. I decided to talk to Zack. I have not met Zack before but had heard good things about him on this forum from Orangevale and others. I just happened to purchase my bike at Yamaha Roseville before knowing this too. Neither steered me to the recommended oil for my bike, regardless of whether or not it is overkill, nor did they give accurate information on intervals. That bugs me. I held up the bottle and specifically asked Zack..."is this the correct shaft drive oil for my 2006 FJR? I am pretty detail oriented myself. I don't care about the cost, as I am not going to skimp on a bike that cost $16K OTD and has $4K or $5K worth of farkles..........I just wanted accurate information, which I did not get.

Now I know what the recommended oil is, and what the recommended changing interval is. By the way, the crush washer for both the filler and drain bolt on the final drive is the same as the crush washer on the engine oil drain bolt. Thanks again.

 

[user 8909]

I've got a few gallons of Redline "shockproof" gear oil sitting around (heavy and light weight).I know it works great in a race car, and have been wondering about using it in the FJR. It might

help with some of the banging going on in the drive line.

Does anyone have any reasons or ideas why it may or may not work?

It's working in mine just fine. :thumbsup:

I'm surprised more FJR owners aren't using it, makes a world of difference in BMW's "R" models, of course that's a different animal all together so regular gear lube is probably just fine too.

 

[FJamR]

I have a shiite load of Mobil synthetic 75w/90 gear oil in my garage. Anyone from the forum that wants a bottle or wants to change the final gear oil in their FJR while passing through my area is welcome to it. Cajon Pass/Victorville/Hesperia area.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Thanks for the info and the pic, I appreciate it. Now I know what I am looking for too. I realize now that both the parts person and the service manager gave me incorrect information. I started at the parts counter asking for the final drive oil for a 2006 FJR, after looking it up in the "manual", they thought what I had picked up off the shelf was the correct product, not too reassuring though. I decided to talk to Zack. I have not met Zack before but had heard good things about him on this forum from Orangevale and others. I just happened to purchase my bike at Yamaha Roseville before knowing this too. Neither steered me to the recommended oil for my bike, regardless of whether or not it is overkill, nor did they give accurate information on intervals. That bugs me. I held up the bottle and specifically asked Zack..."is this the correct shaft drive oil for my 2006 FJR? I am pretty detail oriented myself. I don't care about the cost, as I am not going to skimp on a bike that cost $16K OTD and has $4K or $5K worth of farkles..........I just wanted accurate information, which I did not get.
Now I know what the recommended oil is, and what the recommended changing interval is. By the way, the crush washer for both the filler and drain bolt on the final drive is the same as the crush washer on the engine oil drain bolt. Thanks again.

I can understand your postion on this, it's pretty cut and dry why this would bug you and I certainly don't think you are being too picky. You were simply looking for the accurate and 100% correct information.

It does seem that if a shop is going to deviate from factory recommended parts/fluids that they should get the customer's opinion first.

I would not let this one situation impact your overall impression of Roseville Yamaha because there have been many, many happy customers there. However, I think it is definitely worth reviewing what is going in your bike, and whether you agree with any substitutions for factory recommended things.

All that said, I can say that my final drive just simply isn't a heard mechanical part of the bike. It does it's job silently and has done for well over 40k miles so what Zac said makes sense too. Communication is the issue here it seems to me.

I hate it when my referral doesn't work out somehow for anyone. I am sure that given more extensive experience with Zac and his shop that you'd have an overall great experience.