Dreaded CSC Driveshaft Failure

[rhino65]

Well got underneath of my CSC trike degreased yesterday and inspected the driveshaft. Just my luck it does have 2 cracks on rubber donut. Considering the Mountain Trike shaft. I realize it could last another 1k miles or go another 10k or more. This is the 2nd driveshaft since kit was installed according to receipts that came with trike when I purchased it last Friday

 

[1dn5up]

Better to find it now and repair it right. Winter down time is better than road down time :Shrug: good find.:clapping:

 

[mhgoldwing]

Since you recently purchased your trike and evidently plan on keeping it awhile, I would suggest you invest in the upgraded rear end which apparently resolves their problems. I think it's about a $1,000 but maybe someone on here who has had it done can give you more specific info.

A friend here with a 2008 has his changed and loves it. Particularly loves not having to worry about it any longer.

Good luck!

 

[ROAD DOG]

Well got underneath of my CSC trike degreased yesterday and inspected the driveshaft. Just my luck it does have 2 cracks on rubber donut. Considering the Mountain Trike shaft. I realize it could last another 1k miles or go another 10k or more. This is the 2nd driveshaft since kit was installed according to receipts that came with trike when I purchased it last Friday

I did my 08 with mountain driveshaft , It was a lot better than the rubber donut ? But the drive line still had a lot of play in it , the gear box had about a 1/4 turn of play in it , I bought the kit from CSC to replace the drive shaft & remove the gear box, I did it myself it was a lot of work you have to remove just about the complete kit , they give you all the instruction , its winter you need something to do ? I paid $ 500. for the kit, they said its about a 8 hour job if the factory does it ? You can go to the CSC & look up the instructions.

 

[rhino65]

Replacing with upgraded kit is more than I want to tackle. (Done enough of them jobs past 30+ years) I'm 2 hrs from Neihaus in Lichfield. They quoted me $1400 for new upgraded kit. Driveshaft from Mountain Trikes is $520 shipped. Considering going with Neihaus if that price is installed.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Well got underneath of my CSC trike degreased yesterday and inspected the driveshaft. Just my luck it does have 2 cracks on rubber donut. Considering the Mountain Trike shaft. I realize it could last another 1k miles or go another 10k or more. This is the 2nd driveshaft since kit was installed according to receipts that came with trike when I purchased it last Friday

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/
Look here for cv axles and parts, if you know the part number they have GREAT prices

 

[07BlueCSC]

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/
Look here for cv axles and parts, if you know the part number they have GREAT prices

The CV axels are from a Chevy CAVALIER.

 

[07BlueCSC]

The cracked rubber was not the problem.
The splines on the DRIVE SHAFT would strip.
The front part was Honda and CSC made the rear half.

The splines on the two parts were different hardness.

 

[Jack Klarich]

The CV axels are from a Chevy CAVALIER.

They have them too

 

[ROAD DOG]

Replacing with upgraded kit is more than I want to tackle. (Done enough of them jobs past 30+ years) I'm 2 hrs from Neihaus in Lichfield. They quoted me $1400 for new upgraded kit. Driveshaft from Mountain Trikes is $520 shipped. Considering going with Neihaus if that price is installed.

Replace the drive shaft & remove that stupid gear box . that gear box weighs 27 pounds with 20 pounds of rotating weight , when I changed mine it rolls better, shifts better & gets better gas mileage. That's my opinion.

- - - Updated - - -

The rear wheel bearings are 95 cavalier non abs .

 

[CrystalPistol]

Replace the drive shaft & remove that stupid gear box . that gear box weighs 27 pounds .... etc .....

You mean CSC uses a gear box between the trans output and diff ?????

:xzqxz:

I looked using Google but must have used wrong terms.

 

[07BlueCSC]

You mean CSC uses a gear box between the trans output and diff ?????

:xzqxz:

I looked using Google but must have used wrong terms.

The gear box is a 1 to 1 ratio.

The only purpose it served was to have less of an angle on the universal joints.

 

[Papa Zook]

You mean CSC uses a gear box between the trans output and diff ?????

:xzqxz:

I looked using Google but must have used wrong terms.

The gear box is a 1 to 1 ratio.

The only purpose it served was to have less of an angle on the universal joints.

They did for a short time but eliminated it years ago. Not sure what years had it, maybe some one else knows.

 

[Gideon]

I have a 06 CSC on my 03 Valkyrie.
I was not aware that there was a problem with CSC drive shafts.
What are some of the issues. :xzqxz:

 

[michael2480]

Replacing with upgraded kit is more than I want to tackle. (Done enough of them jobs past 30+ years) I'm 2 hrs from Neihaus in Lichfield. They quoted me $1400 for new upgraded kit. Driveshaft from Mountain Trikes is $520 shipped. Considering going with Neihaus if that price is installed.

Should be the installed price, that's what I paid at Horizon trikes down in Arkansas last spring. Well worth the money in my opinion. The price from the factory was around 800.00 or so when I priced them, don't remember for sure. I thought about doing it myself, been wrenching for over 30 years and no doubt I could do it but I decided I really didn't have the time and wasn't really set up to do it. They started on it on Monday and I picked it up Tuesday around noon and I'm really impressed with the improvement. The factory guys also told me they have been installing them since 2012 I believe.

This replaced the transfer case rear end they started installing in 2006.

Since 2012 they said they have had 1 come back due to failure and it had a ton of miles on it. That was a salesman talking so take that for what it's worth but when I talked to Horizon they also confirmed it was a much better set up and I think they have installed a lot on new builds, not so many retro fits but didn't have any issues with mine.

 

[07BlueCSC]

I have a 06 CSC on my 03 Valkyrie.
I was not aware that there was a problem with CSC drive shafts.
What are some of the issues. :xzqxz:
View attachment 40927

Your kit is based on a GL1500.
The driveshaft problems were on the GL1800's.

- - - Updated - - -

They did for a short time but eliminated it years ago. Not sure what years had it, maybe some one else knows.

When mine was converted in July of 2007, CSC told me that I was getting
one of the new drive shafts with the Gearbox.

The drive shaft stripped about 2 1/2 years later.
The GEAR BOX self destructed at around 55,000 miles.

 

[California Sidecar]

Well got underneath of my CSC trike degreased yesterday and inspected the driveshaft. Just my luck it does have 2 cracks on rubber donut. Considering the Mountain Trike shaft. I realize it could last another 1k miles or go another 10k or more. This is the 2nd driveshaft since kit was installed according to receipts that came with trike when I purchased it last Friday

The latest version of the CSC driveshaft started in 2012. It is an automobile style driveshaft that is virtually bullet proof. The gear box and Honda driveshaft with rubber isolator was used from 2007 to 2011. The rubber coupler has carbon fiber belts that are encapsulated in it. The cracks that you see are very much normal. Only when the strands of fiber are showing do you need to replace it; which is rare.

CSC has had both customers and dealers replace them at their expense, which according to the manufacturer was not necessary.

As for the upgrade, it is well worth the investment indeed, and if you contact Dwight at CSC and mention this very post, he will get you a nice discount.

 

[Gideon]

Your kit is based on a GL1500.
The driveshaft problems were on the GL1800's.

- - - Updated - - -



When mine was converted in July of 2007, CSC told me that I was getting
one of the new drive shafts with the Gearbox.

The drive shaft stripped about 2 1/2 years later.
The GEAR BOX self destructed at around 55,000 miles.

Thank you for your reply.
I am glad to hear the 1500 was OK. Sorry you and others are having a problem.

God bless and Ride Safe.
Gideon

 

[michael2480]

The latest version of the CSC driveshaft started in 2012. Itis an automobile style driveshaft that is virtually bullet proof. The gear boxand Honda driveshaft with rubber isolator was used from 2007 to 2011. Therubber coupler has carbon fiber belts that are encapsulated in it. The cracksthat you see are very much normal. Only when the strands of fiber are showingdo you need to replace it; which is rare. CSC has had both customers anddealers replace them at their expense, which according to the manufacturer wasnot necessary. <o></o
As for the upgrade, it is well worth the investment indeed,and if you contact Dwight at CSC and mention this very post, he will get you a nice discount.

Is that discount retroactive???

 

[Papa Zook]

The latest version of the CSC driveshaft started in 2012. It is an automobile style driveshaft that is virtually bullet proof. The gear box and Honda driveshaft with rubber isolator was used from 2007 to 2011. The rubber coupler has carbon fiber belts that are encapsulated in it. The cracks that you see are very much normal. Only when the strands of fiber are showing do you need to replace it; which is rare. CSC has had both customers and dealers replace them at their expense, which according to the manufacturer was not necessary. <o></o

As for the upgrade, it is well worth the investment indeed, and if you contact Dwight at CSC and mention this very post, he will get you a nice discount.

KUDOS to Dwight at CSC! I have talked to Dwight on several occasions and he is a stand up guy.

He is a partner in CSC and has been with the company for a long time and knows the product.

He's very service oriented and values his customers and monitors this site. If you have any questions, shoot him a PM or call him.

 

[OldFart]

What are the symptoms? I have an 08 1800 with Cobra kit installed fall of 2011 and have developed a whining noise. Wondered if the whining noise could be from Avon front tire. The whining began shortly after installing Avon tire and has continued to get louder. The tire now has about 3k.
Any input would be appreciated.

 

[CrystalPistol]

What are the symptoms? I have an 08 1800 with Cobra kit installed fall of 2011 and have developed a whining noise. Wondered if the whining noise could be from Avon front tire. The whining began shortly after installing Avon tire and has continued to get louder. The tire now has about 3k.
Any input would be appreciated.

You can't tell from which end the noise is coming?

I have the Avon Cobra TRIKE front radial on our trike, NO NOISE.

Can't comment on noises from the added gear box, just a bad idea from the sounds of it.

 

[OldFart]

You can't tell from which end the noise is coming?

I have the Avon Cobra TRIKE front radial on our trike, NO NOISE.

Can't comment on noises from the added gear box, just a bad idea from the sounds of it.

I have some loss of hearing and have a difficulty at times as to where noise is coming from but believe it is coming from the front. I spoke with Shawn at CSC, he said to disengage the clutch at highway speed and if the noise was still there it was more than likely tire noise, but if noise did not exist with clutch disengaged it is more than likely drive train issue. I rode over 200 miles today and each time I disengaged the clutch the noise was still there, so I am assuming the noise is coming from the tire. I suppose it could be a rear tire?

 

[BrokenBackJack]

We bought a 2010 1800 goldwing this past year with California Side Car trike kit on it. Don't know when it was installed. Have around 11,000 miles on it now. Noticed every once in awhile when coming to a complete stop and using the foot brake it will make kind of a clunking sound but not a deep sounding clunk. Does this once and is fine. Might do it on next stop and might not. Should state that it makes the sound after coming to a complete stop and when just starting to take off from a complete stop.

Any ideas?
Didn't do this before Honda Brake Recall. But they looked it over and said everything looks fine and runs like it should. Won't make the clunk all the time is the weird part. Of course won't do it at dealers either!

 

[rhino65]

Having started this thread awhile back I haven't checked up on it much since. Enjoyed and appreciate everyone's input. I now have the front seal on gearbox just beginning to seep fluid. Came back from a 260 mile ride couple weeks ago, parked it & moved it few days later. Had oil spot on floor bout size of dime. Great. Called CSC and spoke with Will and he said gearbox would have to be removed and sent to them to replace seal.

Called my nearest CSC dealer (Neihaus in Litchfield Illinois) and they confirmed that it would have to be sent to CSC. Going to keep eye on it and hopefully it doesn't get much worse between now and end of riding season then take it to Neihaus and let them replace with upgrade kit. Their quote was $1600 installed. Or drive 650 miles to CSC and they would do it for roughly $1000. Gas, food, lodging, time I just as well have it done locally by Neihaus who are an excellent authorized CSC dealer and only about 95 miles away.

 

[BrokenBackJack]

Just found out from Will @ CSC our Cobra kit was installed on our 2010 1800 Goldwing on 3-14-11.
Then on 6-28-12 it had the weld update kit installed.
The drive shaft has a little play and i am guessing it is by the splines.
What does one have to ask CSC to get the driveshaft kit and i don't know if mine has the transfer case on it or not. For peace of mind i would like to get the changeover kit but don't know what to ask them for.
Appreciate any help on this!

 

[rhino65]

Just found out from Will @ CSC our Cobra kit was installed on our 2010 1800 Goldwing on 3-14-11.
Then on 6-28-12 it had the weld update kit installed.
The drive shaft has a little play and i am guessing it is by the splines.
What does one have to ask CSC to get the driveshaft kit and i don't know if mine has the transfer case on it or not. For peace of mind i would like to get the changeover kit but don't know what to ask them for.
Appreciate any help on this!

Just look under your trike. You will see the gearbox. Bolted directly to back of it will be the diff. I would post a pic but only have my smartphone to take pics and do not have any luck getting them to download on the forum. Gearbox will have an Allen head bolt on front bottom left. Above it will be another Allen head which is the one you fill to when filling thru the fill plug on left side of gearbox.Best I can explain it. Hopefully someone will have a pic or describe it better

 

[rhino65]

Just found out from Will @ CSC our Cobra kit was installed on our 2010 1800 Goldwing on 3-14-11.
Then on 6-28-12 it had the weld update kit installed.
The drive shaft has a little play and i am guessing it is by the splines.
What does one have to ask CSC to get the driveshaft kit and i don't know if mine has the transfer case on it or not. For peace of mind i would like to get the changeover kit but don't know what to ask them for.
Appreciate any help on this!

Had friend of mine download pic. Heres pic of mine with gearbox. My driveshaft is from Mountain Trikes out of NC. Reason for gearbox is to align shaft straight into rear drivetrain. Its a 1:1 ratio. Hope this helps.

 

[rhino65]

Here is differnce between CSC driveshaft and the Mountain Trikes one I have on mine now. Mountain Trikes replaced the rubber donut of CSC with a much better CV joint with a grease zerk. If you get the updated kit from CSC it has much improved driveshaft from theyre old dounut style or welded fix which was a poor way to fix. Once welded in place the shaft has to be cut in order to be removed.

Mountain Trike shaft is top one

 

[BrokenBackJack]

Wondering which way to go. Either with the Mountain Trikes driveshaft or the complete CSC changeover kit.
Being my driveshaft has been welded if i go the Mountain Trikes shaft does it come complete or is it designed to be used with part of the Goldwings driveshaft?