85 250sx rear end problems i think...

[filthyhat]

Hello everyone! It is good to be back in three wheeler land. I have honestly only even seen one more trike out at the local riding hole. Where are you all at?

Anyway, my super faithful old gal 1985 250sx has started giving me fits, and I can't really figure out the source.The rear end seems to be popping anytime the trike rolls. It started happening after my buddy pulled a load across the yard with the trike. I put new wheel bearings and seals in the rear two weeks ago but have not gone through the diff yet.

My amateur diagnosis is the rear end bearings are rusty like the wheel bearings were, and that I will need all new bearings and seals in the rear end, along with a new u-joint boot and a thorough cleaning and inspection. Basically a rebuilding of sorts.

The question is, is there anything else that I should definitely do while I'm in there? I really love my trike, and I'd like to keep it going for as long as possible...

Thanks for your help!

[honda200x1987]

It could be a number of things, bearings or U-joint like you said and it could be as simple as your rear wheels are loose ,they would make a popping noise as it is rolling so check that first! It also could be your pinion gears in your differential, always make sure your differential is full of gear oil. What usually happens to the pinion gears is they run dry of oil and the teeth wear out and break and they will make a popping noise also.

[Dirtcrasher]

85's have allot of water entry issues. I which is why I always avoided mud and water........

[atc007]

Most likely you do need your diff rebuilt. Kits are pretty cheap,but the labor is another thing. It takes a lot of patience and know how/and or, the correct special tools from Honda. Flyingw on here has a rebuilt diff for sale for $300, if you see this is your problem and want a very quick and efficient way out. Welcome aboard!

[filthyhat]

Well thanks for the responses guys. I have removed the diff from the trike and have got it all apart save the pinion gear, as I don't have the special tools for that. The ring gear bearings are iffy, and the pinion gear bearing sounds like it is grinding so the rear end is going to get a rebuild.

There are no missing teeth on the gears, the ring gear shows signs of sitting in water for a time but it isn't real bad so I figure it should last a good long while. I figure I'll yank the driveshaft and give it a good going over, and also replace the rubber boot up front. It's looking like I might get out of this without spending too awful much.

I also need to do fork seals soon, I've got the boots here I just need to order the seals and maybe some fork oil. Then i'll just have to ride her til something else goes wrong!

[UPNATM]

I also need to do fork seals soon, I've got the boots here I just need to order the seals and maybe some fork oil. Then i'll just have to ride her til something else goes wrong!

I just did mine a couple of months ago on my project SX. I bought the seal kits from Honda (still available).
Its not all of that hard of job, and once done, there was an amazing difference. There was no fluid at all in the one side, and muddy water in the other. :wondering :crazy::lol:

[Flyingw]

Grab your diff and propeller shaft and come see me. I got ya covered.

[filthyhat]

Grab your diff and propeller shaft and come see me. I got ya covered.

Sounds like a plan my friend. I will have some time off.this coming.week. and I can probably make it out there. I'm actually heading out to work.right now if you can believe it. I love getting up at midnight!

I will give you a shout when I k.ow a little more. Do you have all the parts we'll need or what should I order for.this shindig? Sorry for the typos I hate touchscreen.keyboards

[Flyingw]

I have everything here already and nothing but time on my hands. My to do list is getting smaller by the day BECAUSE!!!! I'm on vacation

[filthyhat]

Well heck.I.wish I had read this earlier. Although I was in the middle.of.an anti vacation. In my line of work we have busy times and slow times. Anyway I've got.the bearings and the diff is all.apart, bit I'm having trouble getting the swing arm.off

Are you back to work yet? I finally have some.time.on my hands as well. Forgiv the typos I'm on my phone til my new router gets here

[Flyingw]

I'm still on vacation!! My wife just accepted a new job with Northrup Grumman so the pressure for me to find a new job is off...Kinda. It buys me time to look around. I haven't been unemployed since I was 17 so I am enjoying the time off. I'll eventually get back to work but right now I'm not in a hurry. I have a resume in with Boeing so I'm just standing by until I hear back from them as to what direction I'm going to go. Come see me. We'll get your diff squared away.

[filthyhat]

Lol that's awesome. Enjoy the time off man. If you're not otherwise engaged I could head up there tomorrow with the diff and the new bearings. I could be there by around noon I reckon. I'm ready to get the old gal going again!

[filthyhat]

Actually if I'm heading out there anyway I guess I should rassle the old gal into the truck and maybe you could help me pull that swingarm. It's going to be a chore getting the trike in the truck with no wheels on tho I would imagine... Just thinking out loud here I would rather not drive the truck that far right now but I haven't been able to get the swingarm and prop shaft off. Not that I've tried all THAT hard.

[Flyingw]

Are you having problems getting the locking ring loosened?

[filthyhat]

Yup that's the problem. I have bolt that I can use for the giant Allen wrench.
I smacked on the lock ring a few times with a screwdriver bit then I came to my senses and decided to do more research before i angles anything up too awful bad

[Flyingw]

I have a special socket for the locking ring. Do you have a 1/2 air impact?

[filthyhat]

No bit I could prob pick one up. They seem ao come in jamsy a lot of the time

[filthyhat]

OK I've got the diff and the new bearing kit in the car and on just waiting on confiatiom from you that we can do.this thing today. And also of there's anything else I need to bring. Feel free to call or.text me at none one eight two zero seven two five four seven

[filthyhat]

Hello everyone! So, I finally found the time to go see Jim aka flyingw. What a fruitful trip! Jim is a great guy and knows more about 250sx's than anyone I've ever known.

I picked up a rebuilt rear end, some new bearclaws for the back of the old beast, a nice propeller shaft and assorted fasteners. Jim even threw in a cool old altimeter just to be cool. He also let me borrow a couple of specialty tools for removing the swingarm on my trike.

If any of you have never seen the quality of work that he does you may be blown away. Jim is taking these old beaters and completely restoring these parts to pristine condition. His carbs and rear ends look almost like they just came off the assembly line. As an example, even the fasteners he uses are either new or have been re-zinced for longevity (and it also makes em look real nice.)

In conclusion, flyingw is a helluva guy and if any of you other 250sx lovers get the chance to meet him, take it. It's always worth the trip out to Choctaw. I haven't managed to get the diff in the trike yet due to a stuck lower shock mount bolt, but I will update when I get to try it out. I have little doubt that my trike will be with me for years to come with flyingw's help!

Thanks again Jim! I hope we get to go riding someday :)