Talon Front Driveline Woes

[Hometeam]

Grrr...when spreading the clip (with the correct tool) it bends up instead of sliding. I can keep one end under the diff piece but then the other side bends before it goes all the way in. It's a good thing I'm retired and have 20 hours to do this!

I have found the easiest way is to buy an extra one of those clips and cut one of the ears off the clip. Grab the other ear and pull it out. It actually helps clean out the channel for when you reinstall the new shaft. I have done it both ways and from now on I will do it this way. Good luck, overall, it is a pain in the ass!

 

[Admin]

 

[AMink]

I have found the easiest way is to buy an extra one of those clips and cut one of the ears off the clip. Grab the other ear and pull it out. It actually helps clean out the channel for when you reinstall the new shaft. I have done it both ways and from now on I will do it this way. Good luck, overall, it is a pain in the ass!

I think I'm at that point. I watch the videos and they're like "And it just pops right off!". Um, no. No it doesn't! throw in stripped out button bolts, 8,000 push rivets, having to remove the winch etc. it just gets to be a long job that shouldn't be!

 

[Dankathy]

I don't think the clip has to open as far as the the slot in the clutch housing will allow. Maybe a little more aggressive on the pry bar? Mine had one of the tabs broken (missing) before I started. Think I understand frustration?

 

[Dankathy]

Make sure you have a new clip available, I had a very difficult time sourcing one a month ago. Back ordered no ETA. Ron aryers sent me elsewhere

 

[906UP]

I had a similar problem, I fought with it for 30 mins or so and said "Phuck it" and pulled the front diff, then the driveshaft with the clutch attached, got it out and on the bench to work on it. Yes, it's more work but not that much, I can have the front diff out in less than an hour.

 

[906UP]

I switch to the SATV CV driveshaft when it was out.

 

[Hometeam]

I think I'm at that point. I watch the videos and they're like "And it just pops right off!". Um, no. No it doesn't! throw in stripped out button bolts, 8,000 push rivets, having to remove the winch etc. it just gets to be a long job that shouldn't be!

I just did one of ours a couple days ago. I put the SuperAtv one in and man first impressions are it is really nice and quiet. But I only pulled the skid plate and was able to slide the diff far enough forward till it hit the winch and I could finagle it out. I did cut a 1 inch hole in the floor board, that I will plug, to get to the front hoop bolt. That saved some time too!

 

[906UP]

I just did one of ours a couple days ago. I put the SuperAtv one in and man first impressions are it is really nice and quiet. But I only pulled the skid plate and was able to slide the diff far enough forward till it hit the winch and I could finagle it out. I did cut a 1 inch hole in the floor board, that I will plug, to get to the front hoop bolt. That saved some time too!

I tore mine apart just a bit more than that 🤣
In my defense it was winter and I had 5 months to get it back together.

 

[AMink]

I had a very difficult time sourcing one a month ago. Back ordered no ETA.

Yep, my two local shops (Reno and Carson City) don't have them and show them on back order. A few online places show 10 days or so for delivery but Partzilla says 200-210 days! I have a short list of shops that have them with the closest in Utah. I'll start calling and seeing if they'll send it to me. Is there any word on a cross reference for this piece, either from another Honda unit or something else?

The noisy shaft may have to stay put for the time being.

 

[CID]

Yep, my two local shops (Reno and Carson City) don't have them and show them on back order. A few online places show 10 days or so for delivery but Partzilla says 200-210 days! I have a short list of shops that have them with the closest in Utah. I'll start calling and seeing if they'll send it to me. Is there any word on a cross reference for this piece, either from another Honda unit or something else?

The noisy shaft may have to stay put for the time being.

As long as the caps aren't rotating, you should be ok. HondaBob marks witness lines on his caps with a welder's paint pen, similar to all the paint marks on important bolts around the Talon. You could use fingernail polish too but don't let yer wife catchya.

HondaBob's photo from the previous page -

 

[ODAMO]

As long as the caps aren't rotating, you should be ok. HondaBob marks witness lines on his caps with a welder's paint pen, similar to all the paint marks on important bolts around the Talon. You could use fingernail polish too but don't let yer wife catchya.

HondaBob's photo from the previous page -
View attachment 403018

LMAO. Anytime I need a tupperware container or an extra butterknife I have my head on a swivel so I don't get caught.

 

[AMink]

As long as the caps aren't rotating, you should be ok. HondaBob marks witness lines on his caps with a welder's paint pen, similar to all the paint marks on important bolts around the Talon. You could use fingernail polish too but don't let yer wife catchya.

HondaBob's photo from the previous page -
View attachment 403018

I don't think they've moved so far. I did put JB on them but they may have been moving before. There is definitely a bit of play in the front u-joint. I have the new SATV shaft sitting here, just waiting. I tracked down a few clips and ordered one from a shop in UT. I was on the line with one in WV but they wanted about $60 for shipping a $3 part! I'll push before I pay that.

 

[CID]

I don't think they've moved so far. I did put JB on them but they may have been moving before. There is definitely a bit of play in the front u-joint. I have the new SATV shaft sitting here, just waiting. I tracked down a few clips and ordered one from a shop in UT. I was on the line with one in WV but they wanted about $60 for shipping a $3 part! I'll push before I pay that.

I forgot you mentioned that you were able to feel some play, I'd be changing mine out too if that was the case. I think the Talon guys are going to make @SuperATV very happy about their investment in developing the CV driveshaft for us. The recent difficulties in this thread aren't giving me any confidence in tackling the project.

 

[AMink]

I forgot you mentioned that you were able to feel some play, I'd be changing mine out too if that was the case. I think the Talon guys are going to make @SuperATV very happy about their investment in developing the CV driveshaft for us. The recent difficulties in this thread aren't giving me any confidence in tackling the project.

I admit to trying to NOT remove the floorboards and the seat and the piece under the seat and... I can easily reach the clip from the top and just screwed up. The only body panel you'd really need to remove is the shift cover or the skid plate but only if you don't mess up the clip.

 

[906UP]

I forgot you mentioned that you were able to feel some play, I'd be changing mine out too if that was the case. I think the Talon guys are going to make @SuperATV very happy about their investment in developing the CV driveshaft for us. The recent difficulties in this thread aren't giving me any confidence in tackling the project.

Just pull the front diff, yank the shaft out with clutch attached if it gives you trouble. It's just nuts & bolts.

 

[AMink]

Just pull the front diff, yank the shaft out with clutch attached if it gives you trouble. It's just nuts & bolts.

That means pulling the axles, correct?

 

[CID]

That means pulling the axles, correct?

I hope not, I think the diff will move forward enough with the axles in place. If not, then you wouldn't be gaining anything timewise.

There's a bunch of info on how to remove the driveshaft in this post (#88 in New Talon Owners - First Things to Know and Check) -

New Talon Owners - First Things to Know and Check

My shifter on my 2021 is different than yours in the video? Was that there way to correct it? That's not my video but it's an aftermarket shift gate, there are several different choices available including one from PaulF on this site. I'll add that to my post. 👍

hondasxs.com

 

[AMink]

I hope not, I think the diff will move forward enough with the axles in place. If not, then you wouldn't be gaining anything timewise.

I think @906UP pulled the whole thing all the way out and worked it on the bench.

 

[CID]

I think @906UP pulled the whole thing all the way out and worked it on the bench.

That's what it sounded like to me also.

 

[CID]

I think @906UP pulled the whole thing all the way out and worked it on the bench.

Read the red highlight in this post -

New Talon Owners - First Things to Know and Check

JSportsxs rear radius rod install. Obviously the procedure works with any aftermarket radius rod set.

hondasxs.com