Author Topic: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!  (Read 8847 times)

Offline Jeremy Mitchell

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1756
  • Country: 00
  • COG#9899
Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« on: April 12, 2012, 06:01:11 PM »
I was on my way to see my daughter's track meet this afternoon and I felt a slight "clunking" through the pegs and handle bars and thought to myself "now what did I screw up since the C14 is so dead nuts reliable?"  I turned my music down on my Sena and slowed to pull over, and I started hearing a rhythmic clunking that at first sounded like it was coming from the front end [I guess the C14 is somewhat of a ventriloquist along with it's many other talents]. 

I put my bike on the side stand and got down on all fours and started peeking around the front wheel and radiator area, nothing out of the norm just lots of brake dust and dead bugs.  Then I go around to each side and rear to find nothing.  Now I am really scratching my head.  Then the light bulb goes off, "put it on the centerstand you big dummy."  I put in neutral and start rolling the rear wheel forward and don't hear anything so I start the bike and put it in 1st and the clunk makes itself known close to the output on the transmission.

Not sure if the output can clunk also but that seems to be where the noise is located.  Needless to say, I will be visiting the dealer tomorrow.  What really sucks is that the weather is so great and I will probably miss out on quite a bit of riding.  Maybe I can sweet talk the service manager into letting my take an extended test ride on one of their used  bikes.   ;D  Fat chance.
Keeping the economy going, one tank of fuel and two tires at a time.

Offline VirginiaJim

  • Administrator
  • Elite Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11365
  • Country: england
  • I've forgotten more than I'll ever know...
    • Kawasaki 1400GTR
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #1 on: April 12, 2012, 06:14:32 PM »
Did you ever check it before this, Jeremy?  I know I checked mine when this issue first came to light and didn't find any issues.  It will be interesting to see what it is....
"LOCTITE®"  The original thread locker...  #11  2020 Indian Roadmaster, ABS, Cruise control, heated grips and seats/w/AC 46 Monitoring with cutting edge technology U.N.I.T is Back! Member in good standing with the Knights of MEH.

Son of Pappy

  • Guest
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2012, 06:16:48 PM »
It's all that black bed liner, the rear of the bike is having a hard time pushing all that slowness ;D

Best of luck with the dealer and a quick repair Jeremy.

Offline Jeremy Mitchell

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1756
  • Country: 00
  • COG#9899
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2012, 06:22:27 PM »
Did you ever check it before this, Jeremy?  I know I checked mine when this issue first came to light and didn't find any issues.  It will be interesting to see what it is....

I checked it before I bought it and there was zero clunk.  It just popped up out of the blue today.
Keeping the economy going, one tank of fuel and two tires at a time.

Offline JamminJere

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 113
  • Country: us
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2012, 07:31:11 PM »
Maybe the front splines are just dry?... Did you ever have it out for inspection and a little moly-grease?

If it is the u-joint they will change out the whole drive shaft... Only take. Few minutes to change out once they have the part

JJ
There really isn't much different between the masses... and them asses..

Offline Rhino

  • Arena
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3963
  • Country: us
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2012, 07:41:39 PM »
How many miles on the bike? I moly grease the rear spline whenever the rear wheel is off and of course change the final drive fluid with every oil change. Is there other maintenance I should be doing on the shaft drive? Have about 23,000 miles on the bike. Should I pull the shaft and grease the front spline?

Offline JamminJere

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 113
  • Country: us
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #6 on: April 12, 2012, 07:51:31 PM »
Ive done the front of mine twice in 75,000 miles.. It was a little dry the first time at around 30K..  I dont even drain the differential, just unbolt it on the upper mount and drop it down out of the way... With the wheel off of course. 
Follow the service manual... Easy peasy

JJ
There really isn't much different between the masses... and them asses..

Offline Jeremy Mitchell

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1756
  • Country: 00
  • COG#9899
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2012, 07:59:24 PM »
I have 45,000 miles and have lubed the splines twice.  Hopefully tomorrow the service department will be able to answer my questions.
Keeping the economy going, one tank of fuel and two tires at a time.

Offline VirginiaJim

  • Administrator
  • Elite Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11365
  • Country: england
  • I've forgotten more than I'll ever know...
    • Kawasaki 1400GTR
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2012, 08:25:20 PM »
Geez, now I gots to look at mine again.
"LOCTITE®"  The original thread locker...  #11  2020 Indian Roadmaster, ABS, Cruise control, heated grips and seats/w/AC 46 Monitoring with cutting edge technology U.N.I.T is Back! Member in good standing with the Knights of MEH.

Son of Pappy

  • Guest
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #9 on: April 12, 2012, 09:33:30 PM »
I guess I should check mine, I did paint the shield black.  Nah, I trust in the awesome system known simply as "KIPASS".


Offline DenverC-14

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 167
  • Country: us
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #10 on: April 13, 2012, 02:37:41 AM »
I'll be keeping an eye out on this thread, as I have on 08 as well.

Offline B.D.F.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4955
  • Country: 00
  • It's only really cold if you fall down in it.
    • C-14 farkles you almost cannot ride without.
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #11 on: April 13, 2012, 05:15:56 AM »
Yeah, 'cause terrorizing a community just doesn't work unless there is a community.

 ;D

Geez, now I gots to look at mine again.
Homo Sapiens Sapiens and just a tad of Neanderthal but it usually does not show....  My Private mail is blocked; it is not you, it is me, just like that dating partner said all those years ago. Please send an e-mail if you want to contact me privately.

KiPass keeping you up at night? Fuel gauge warning burning your retinas? Get unlimited peace and harmony here: www.incontrolne.com

Offline B.D.F.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4955
  • Country: 00
  • It's only really cold if you fall down in it.
    • C-14 farkles you almost cannot ride without.
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #12 on: April 13, 2012, 05:25:55 AM »
Just as an aside, the drivetrain really cannot be tested with the bike on the centerstand because the rear wheel hangs down much further than it does normally. That creates much sharper angles in the drivetrain (driveshaft really) that are just not present when riding the bike.

Best of luck getting to the bottom of the problem.

Brian

I was on my way to see my daughter's track meet this afternoon and I felt a slight "clunking" through the pegs and handle bars and thought to myself "now what did I screw up since the C14 is so dead nuts reliable?"  I turned my music down on my Sena and slowed to pull over, and I started hearing a rhythmic clunking that at first sounded like it was coming from the front end [I guess the C14 is somewhat of a ventriloquist along with it's many other talents]. 

I put my bike on the side stand and got down on all fours and started peeking around the front wheel and radiator area, nothing out of the norm just lots of brake dust and dead bugs.  Then I go around to each side and rear to find nothing.  Now I am really scratching my head.  Then the light bulb goes off, "put it on the centerstand you big dummy."  I put in neutral and start rolling the rear wheel forward and don't hear anything so I start the bike and put it in 1st and the clunk makes itself known close to the output on the transmission.

Not sure if the output can clunk also but that seems to be where the noise is located.  Needless to say, I will be visiting the dealer tomorrow.  What really sucks is that the weather is so great and I will probably miss out on quite a bit of riding.  Maybe I can sweet talk the service manager into letting my take an extended test ride on one of their used  bikes.   ;D  Fat chance.
Homo Sapiens Sapiens and just a tad of Neanderthal but it usually does not show....  My Private mail is blocked; it is not you, it is me, just like that dating partner said all those years ago. Please send an e-mail if you want to contact me privately.

KiPass keeping you up at night? Fuel gauge warning burning your retinas? Get unlimited peace and harmony here: www.incontrolne.com

Offline VirginiaJim

  • Administrator
  • Elite Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11365
  • Country: england
  • I've forgotten more than I'll ever know...
    • Kawasaki 1400GTR
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #13 on: April 13, 2012, 05:29:47 AM »
I don't think it hurts to inspect items when we hear of a potential issue like this, especially when it's so easy to do as part of yearly self maintenance program.  When I checked mine the first time, all the clips were in place but the joint caps were somewhat movable.
"LOCTITE®"  The original thread locker...  #11  2020 Indian Roadmaster, ABS, Cruise control, heated grips and seats/w/AC 46 Monitoring with cutting edge technology U.N.I.T is Back! Member in good standing with the Knights of MEH.

Offline B.D.F.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4955
  • Country: 00
  • It's only really cold if you fall down in it.
    • C-14 farkles you almost cannot ride without.
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #14 on: April 13, 2012, 05:47:40 AM »
Lighten up Jim, I was just pulling your chain a bit. :-)  Besides, I got caught up in the driveshaft 'terror' way back on the first go- around. I even took photos and posted them (that post sleeps with the fishes after the great forum purge of 2011). I think I was even the first one to find the trunion caps were a slip fit in the yokes which I still think is a bad idea. But just because something may or may not be real does not mean I cannot have fun with it.... I think Kirby would tell you not to worry about anything and just change your fob batteries regularly for all- powerful protection against everything.

Brian

I don't think it hurts to inspect items when we hear of a potential issue like this, especially when it's so easy to do as part of yearly self maintenance program.  When I checked mine the first time, all the clips were in place but the joint caps were somewhat movable.
Homo Sapiens Sapiens and just a tad of Neanderthal but it usually does not show....  My Private mail is blocked; it is not you, it is me, just like that dating partner said all those years ago. Please send an e-mail if you want to contact me privately.

KiPass keeping you up at night? Fuel gauge warning burning your retinas? Get unlimited peace and harmony here: www.incontrolne.com

Offline VirginiaJim

  • Administrator
  • Elite Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11365
  • Country: england
  • I've forgotten more than I'll ever know...
    • Kawasaki 1400GTR
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #15 on: April 13, 2012, 05:50:06 AM »
I knew you were kidding.  No harm taken, Brian.  I appreciate all your help, insight, and humor.   :thumbs: to you!
"LOCTITE®"  The original thread locker...  #11  2020 Indian Roadmaster, ABS, Cruise control, heated grips and seats/w/AC 46 Monitoring with cutting edge technology U.N.I.T is Back! Member in good standing with the Knights of MEH.

Offline Jeremy Mitchell

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1756
  • Country: 00
  • COG#9899
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #16 on: April 13, 2012, 07:06:24 AM »
@ B.D.F.:  I realize that the suspension is unloaded and doesn't give a completely accurate representation of what is happening while I am riding.  But, it is the exact same clunking sound that I am hearing (and feeling) while I ride.  The biggest thing may be the location along the driveshaft where the clunk is happening.  I will be calling the dealer in an hour or so but until then I will probably pull the cover and do a little investigating before I leave.
Keeping the economy going, one tank of fuel and two tires at a time.

Offline Conrad

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5822
  • Country: us
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #17 on: April 13, 2012, 09:08:08 AM »
I could actually hear my driveshaft clunk while pushing the bike, forwards or backwards. Lubed 'er up and all was quiet again. 
Northern Illinois   Silverdammit '08 C-14 ABS

"Don't bother me with facts, Son. I've already made up my mind." -Foghorn Leghorn

Offline B.D.F.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4955
  • Country: 00
  • It's only really cold if you fall down in it.
    • C-14 farkles you almost cannot ride without.
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #18 on: April 13, 2012, 09:30:53 AM »
Yeah, that sounds like a well developed clunking if you can feel it when riding.

There have been a couple of driveshaft failures on these bikes, one was catastrophic and the cause was not determined if I remember right (it spit parts out on the highway so hard to diagnose) and the other caused a ripped bellows due to the C- clip slipping out from the trunion. There has also been at least one bevel drive bearing failure that I know of and it would probably be impossible to find that problem vs. a driveshaft noise until the parts were broken down and inspected. Any significant shock to the driveline will radiate noise and vibration everywhere (in the drive train) so it would be hard to locate the source.

The normal 'tinking' noise in C-14s has been due to the front spline on the driveshaft being dry. Grease in the splines just deadens the impact of the splines as they shift from side to side so the noise disappears but it does not really cure any problem because there was no problem to begin with.

By the way, I am not making fun of your drive train clunk, just the occasional herd reaction to reports of <mostly> phantom problems. You know this or you would not have posted using the title that you did. :-)  What is really comical is that some folks pick up on things like reports of driveshafts making a tinking noise and go on to report that they too have the 'common' or 'well known' driveshaft problem.

Brian

@ B.D.F.:  I realize that the suspension is unloaded and doesn't give a completely accurate representation of what is happening while I am riding.  But, it is the exact same clunking sound that I am hearing (and feeling) while I ride.  The biggest thing may be the location along the driveshaft where the clunk is happening.  I will be calling the dealer in an hour or so but until then I will probably pull the cover and do a little investigating before I leave.
Homo Sapiens Sapiens and just a tad of Neanderthal but it usually does not show....  My Private mail is blocked; it is not you, it is me, just like that dating partner said all those years ago. Please send an e-mail if you want to contact me privately.

KiPass keeping you up at night? Fuel gauge warning burning your retinas? Get unlimited peace and harmony here: www.incontrolne.com

Offline B.D.F.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4955
  • Country: 00
  • It's only really cold if you fall down in it.
    • C-14 farkles you almost cannot ride without.
Re: Lions, Tigers, and driveshaft clunk, oh my!
« Reply #19 on: April 13, 2012, 09:36:06 AM »
Great 'cause I really do like poking fun at most things. OK, everything. :-)

And I really like this new tougher forum. Remember the way it was for a while with all that hand- wringing, usually about things that have not even happened but <may> happen in the future or <might> have occurred in the past? Now it seems that with this new, rough and tough user group people even ride in the rain and then don't change the air filter right away.... livin' right on the edge I tells 'ya.

Brian


I knew you were kidding. 

<snip>

Homo Sapiens Sapiens and just a tad of Neanderthal but it usually does not show....  My Private mail is blocked; it is not you, it is me, just like that dating partner said all those years ago. Please send an e-mail if you want to contact me privately.

KiPass keeping you up at night? Fuel gauge warning burning your retinas? Get unlimited peace and harmony here: www.incontrolne.com