Hello, new to the site.Could I still drive my 1996 big bear without the driveshaft?

 

Axle or drive shaft? If it is the axle you should be fine. The driveshaft should be okay if you lock it in 4x4 but I'm not responsible if something breaks lol. But u should be fine.

 

People refer to parts differently, including manufacturers. I would call the front shafts with the CV joints the "driveshafts" but note that parts books sometimes refer to them as "half shafts" The "propeller shafts" that run from engine to diffs are called driveshafts by some. If you take out the front propeller shaft, it will run OK as a 2WD, but removing a front "half shaft" would result in you loosing front diff oil, unless you leave the inner CV joint in place. Getting the shaft out of an outer CV joint is difficult too.

 

It's the shaft that protrudes just rite behind the front diff. the 2 yokes seperated. It's not connected to the yoke underneath the seat either (beside the footshift area). So I took shaft right out. I'm in process of putting in new u-joint on shaft. I think I already tried running it, but bike just stayed in position,with the yoke connected to the diff just turning by itself. Is there a way I could get it to ride without that shaft.

 

That is what I would call the front prop shaft. I can't quite work out what you are on about regarding yokes etc, but the bike will go quite happily without the front shaft. You must make sure no yokes are flailing about, take the UJ spiders out if they do, but the machine will run in rear wheel drive, like it's sister the Moto4. If it doesn't drive the rear wheels, you have problems at the back end as well.

 

Ya,I took out the front propeller shaft. I don't know what connects the back of that shaft.I know its not connected there now though because I took it out. It still doesnt want to run when I press the throttle. All's I know is at the back end of the prop shaft (that I took out) is a spline. I'm sure its a full-time 4-wheel drive (no 2-wheel drive button or anything), and the shifting spot just says 4-H, 4-L, R. Even though I took out the front propeller shaft, it still wont go. Made sure everythings out of the way.

 

Ok, I noticed that the back end of the shaft has a spline. Now when I install it (the shaft back on) do I just push it on (the back end, because it looks like a hole at the end of the other yoke that recieves it, then put the u_joint in on the front, because thats what I'm thinking of trying (installing the shaft back on with the diff yoke staying on bike. Either that, or what nut do you take off the diff yoke, the bigger center nut or the 4 bolts.

 

It must be five years since I fitted a front shaft on a 90s Big Bear so I can't remember. I know the splines were inclined to wear out. I don't remember it being a big job, so fit it back together and install the new UJ. Can you get at the centre nut once things are assembled? If not, go for the other option.

 

Ya, I just tried. That darn yoke keeps turning at the same tme and the same way.

 

I saw a guy installing a cv axle back on and when he put the inner side on first (it had a spline on the end) he said make sure its lined up then just pushed it on by hand and ball peen. He said make sure the clip engages. Is that what I do to my prop shaft.