Talon Front Drive Shaft U-Joint Failure

[hondabob]

I could see the shiny spot from the back so I removed the front skid plate to check the rear U-Joint on the front drive shaft. There was 1/8” play. Star Island has replaced 3 Talon drive shafts. Honda doesn’t offer the U-Joint and on mine the shaft part was also worn out so a new cup would have some play. Check out the video to see the play. I have over 15,000 miles on my Talon. I think this will be a weak spot that will wear out at 10,000 to 15,000 miles. All the U-Joint C clips were in place. The 4 seat model may not have this problem but it wouldn’t hurt the check it every 5,000 miles and check them all before the 1 year warranty is up. The repair may cost around $650 or more. Replacing the drive shaft takes about 4 hours. My right rear wheel bearing was also worn out.

 

[hondabob]

Its Honda Talon time. I expect to get 5,000 miles or more on my 2019 Talon this winter. I bought 2 E-bikes and have about 1,000 miles on them. I have lost 16 pounds in 14 weeks. You don’t see many fat guys in their 80’s and 90’s unless they are in a wheel chair. I will be 80 in 3 months still got another 20 pounds to lose and its the first time I have felt good about losing at anything.

 

[HUCK]

I could see the shiny spot from the back so I removed the front skid plate to check the rear U-Joint on the front drive shaft. There was 1/8” play. Star Island has replaced 3 Talon drive shafts. Honda doesn’t offer the U-Joint and on mine the shaft part was also worn out so a new cup would have some play. Check out the video to see the play. I have over 15,000 miles on my Talon. I think this will be a weak spot that will wear out at 10,000 to 15,000 miles. All the U-Joint C clips were in place. The 4 seat model may not have this problem but it wouldn’t hurt the check it every 5,000 miles and check them all before the 1 year warranty is up. The repair may cost around $650 or more. Replacing the drive shaft takes about 4 hours. My right rear wheel bearing was also worn out.

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Thanks for the heads up !

 

[1HasBeen]

I understand with a worn yoke you need to replace the assembly, but I am amazed to read that Honda doesn't sell a U-joint. I'm sure with some accurate measurements a replacement could be had.

 

[HondaTech]

I understand with a worn yoke you need to replace the assembly, but I am amazed to read that Honda doesn't sell a U-joint. I'm sure with some accurate measurements a replacement could be had.

Polaris doesn't sell theirs separately either. Alot of guys use super atv or find the size at a parts store for those.

We've replaced a few as well, the first unit had under 50 miles.

I recently did a steering rack and while trying to get the driveshaft clip out notice the ears had some movement.

The problem I've seen replacing Polaris joints is the ears end up getting spread apart and its loose and never right again.

 

[906UP]

The Moog 338 U-joint is a replacement, I believe @TerryH first figured this one out.

Moog 338 @ Summit Racing

 

[1HasBeen]

Polaris doesn't sell theirs separately either. Alot of guys use super atv or find the size at a parts store for those.

We've replaced a few as well, the first unit had under 50 miles.

I recently did a steering rack and while trying to get the driveshaft clip out notice the ears had some movement.

The problem I've seen replacing Polaris joints is the ears end up getting spread apart and its loose and never right again.

Most of the Polarasses I've done the splines were eaten up in the yoke/shaft, and generally on the pinion shaft too.

 

[IDIOT]

Its Honda Talon time. I expect to get 5,000 miles or more on my 2019 Talon this winter. I bought 2 E-bikes and have about 1,000 miles on them. I have lost 16 pounds in 14 weeks. You don’t see many fat guys in their 80’s and 90’s unless they are in a wheel chair. I will be 80 in 3 months still got another 20 pounds to lose and its the first time I have felt good about losing at anything.

Hondabob, I was looking at the parts schematic and it looks to me like the propeller shaft may come with the ujoints already attached to both ends. The schematic says propeller shaft assembly? Take a look and tell me what you think.

 

[PaulF]

I could see the shiny spot from the back so I removed the front skid plate to check the rear U-Joint on the front drive shaft. There was 1/8” play. Star Island has replaced 3 Talon drive shafts. Honda doesn’t offer the U-Joint and on mine the shaft part was also worn out so a new cup would have some play. Check out the video to see the play. I have over 15,000 miles on my Talon. I think this will be a weak spot that will wear out at 10,000 to 15,000 miles. All the U-Joint C clips were in place. The 4 seat model may not have this problem but it wouldn’t hurt the check it every 5,000 miles and check them all before the 1 year warranty is up. The repair may cost around $650 or more. Replacing the drive shaft takes about 4 hours. My right rear wheel bearing was also worn out.

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Bob, did you determine if the play is caused because the u-joint is worn out or has the yoke spread apart?

 

[Mudder]

Its Honda Talon time. I expect to get 5,000 miles or more on my 2019 Talon this winter. I bought 2 E-bikes and have about 1,000 miles on them. I have lost 16 pounds in 14 weeks. You don’t see many fat guys in their 80’s and 90’s unless they are in a wheel chair. I will be 80 in 3 months still got another 20 pounds to lose and its the first time I have felt good about losing at anything.

What brand e bikes? Just got a Radrover 5. Throttle only 20 mph. Congrats on approaching 80 and living life.

 

[hondabob]

The propeller shaft comes complete with the U-joint. I think there is enough angle vibration that it will cause the retainer clips to wear into the propeller shaft causing the play. My U-joint appeared to be ok. A new U-joint may be able to be installed with red Loctite but it may need a spot weld. One of the Forum guys posted this video on You tube.

 

[hondabob]

I bought the Rad Runner then the a step through Rad Rover. I just hated to buy a girls bike but I needed the step thru. On my Rad Rover you can hold the up and down buttons to get into the program. Tire size is 28, the display brightness is 1, 2, or 3. If you set the top speed to 40 kph it will go close to 25 mph. The 4th item is mph or kph.

 

[hondabob]

Huck and I ride occasionally ride with Joe who turns 90 this month. He is in great shape and still does the oil changes on his Talon and Diesel truck. Joe also just bought an E-bike. I quit racing Mt Bikes 20 years ago and had to quit riding motorcycles too. Just too old to get hurt and can't have any fun just putting around. These E-Bikes are amazing and sort of a cross between a Mt Bike and Motorcycle. You can get some great exercise without being hard on your joints and it fun to do a 25 mile ride. I always hated lifting weights in a gym. We do a lot of trail work and that is good exercise and fun too. The Ducks and Geese are really tame, I feed them sometimes on my turn around at 11 miles. This one was standing on my foot. Its so important to do something fun everyday and keep your wife Happy even if a PITA sometimes.

 

[TerryH]

The Moog 338 U-joint is a replacement, I believe @TerryH first figured this one out.

Moog 338 @ Summit Racing

As with most things I know, I just read about it somewhere else. Saved the number for future reference. Glad it was helpful.

 

[IDIOT]

OH ok so i guess i was correct that the Propeller shaft comes with the ujoints as part of the Assembly 😁

 

[Nogrey]

Just a thought here. If I were in this situation, I'd take the shaft assembly to one of the many drive shaft shops in my area and have them put a new heavy duty U-joint in with grease zerts. They are usually pretty reasonably prices and would most likely be a lifetime fix. I've done this with my 4 wheel drive trucks. No experience yet with having to do it with the talon. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[ToolTime]

Aside from the Red Loctite, I have actually tack welded (keep it small and quick) caps into my Dana 44 axle joints in a high HP Jeep to help keep the caps in place. When they finally wear out a quick hit with a grinder will relieve the tack weld and I can do it again.

 

[fartsalot]

I bought the Rad Runner then the a step through Rad Rover. I just hated to buy a girls bike but I needed the step thru. On my Rad Rover you can hold the up and down buttons to get into the program. Tire size is 28, the display brightness is 1, 2, or 3. If you set the top speed to 40 kph it will go close to 25 mph. The 4th item is mph or kph.

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That seat makes my Butt hurt just by looking at it let alone ride for miles !!

 

[highpocket74]

Does anyone know if the honda extended warranty covers this drive shaft? I have 2000 miles on my '19 Talon X and it sounds like the shaft is rattling like crazy at a steady speed.

 

[HondaTech]

Does anyone know if the honda extended warranty covers this drive shaft? I have 2000 miles on my '19 Talon X and it sounds like the shaft is rattling like crazy at a steady speed.

If the cap hasn't fallen out they wont replace it.