I figured I would share my findings regarding ujoint replacements for the RL drive shaft. Honda calls this the propeller shaft and it runs from the front transfer case to the VTM4 differential unit in the rear. The shaft has two ujoints and one center support bearing. Honda sells the entire unit only for a price of $450-$600 depending on where you look. FYI, aftermarket units go for around $400-500 and used for about $250-$350 depending on the mileage.
I removed the drive shaft from my 150K 07 RL to diagnose a vibration issue. I found the ujoints on both ends were binding significantly. Having replaced ujoints on other drive shafts I decided to try and replace these. I did research on staked in ujoints, which is what Honda uses. This means they are not serviceable (according to Honda).
I found a company called Rockford Drive that sells replacement joints for staked driveshafts (430-12). They work by using an inside lockup (snap ring) to hold the cap in the yoke. To install you need to press out the OEM staked joints. De-burr the flange and then press in the new joint. Once seated you can snap on the lock ring.
It sounds easy enough, but I can say it is a job. The ujoints are not made to fit the oem yoke flange so fitment is not precise. The flange tapers on the lock ring surface, so the rotation of the ring affects the depth of the cap. Bottom line the surfaces of the flange were not designed for a replaceable u-joint with a snap ring. You need to balance the caps to make sure the joint is centered and not binding.
Considering you cannot replace the center support bearing or slip joint I would say replacing the u-joints is a partial restoration of the propeller shaft assembly. If you bought a new shaft or even a newer one, all these components would be replaced at once. Considering how easy it is the remove the propeller shaft but how hard it is to replace the ujoints, I would recommend replacement of the assembly to all but the most gung-ho shade tree mechanics.
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I removed the drive shaft from my 150K 07 RL to diagnose a vibration issue. I found the ujoints on both ends were binding significantly. Having replaced ujoints on other drive shafts I decided to try and replace these. I did research on staked in ujoints, which is what Honda uses. This means they are not serviceable (according to Honda).
I found a company called Rockford Drive that sells replacement joints for staked driveshafts (430-12). They work by using an inside lockup (snap ring) to hold the cap in the yoke. To install you need to press out the OEM staked joints. De-burr the flange and then press in the new joint. Once seated you can snap on the lock ring.
It sounds easy enough, but I can say it is a job. The ujoints are not made to fit the oem yoke flange so fitment is not precise. The flange tapers on the lock ring surface, so the rotation of the ring affects the depth of the cap. Bottom line the surfaces of the flange were not designed for a replaceable u-joint with a snap ring. You need to balance the caps to make sure the joint is centered and not binding.
Considering you cannot replace the center support bearing or slip joint I would say replacing the u-joints is a partial restoration of the propeller shaft assembly. If you bought a new shaft or even a newer one, all these components would be replaced at once. Considering how easy it is the remove the propeller shaft but how hard it is to replace the ujoints, I would recommend replacement of the assembly to all but the most gung-ho shade tree mechanics.
