Middle Shaft Replacement, help a sister

[plain jane]

so here's the deal. I've got a 2004 Yamaha Road Star, and it's been making some weird noises in the drivetrain. Pretty sure it's the middle shaft that's gotta go. Anyone else tackled this job before? tips, tricks, or tools I need to have in hand? I'm all about giving it a shot myself, but I could use some guidance before I dive in.

 

[racerbyheart]

it's not a terribly difficult to diy this, so if you're meticulous and detailed. You'll need to remove the wheel and swing arm, pulley cover and transfer case cover. Tap the shaft from the belt side and do everything in a reverse order. I think you can find youtube videos or use the service manual for this, everything is layed out nicely

 

[NightWarrior]

so here's the deal. I've got a 2004 Yamaha Road Star, and it's been making some weird noises in the drivetrain. Pretty sure it's the middle shaft that's gotta go. Anyone else tackled this job before? tips, tricks, or tools I need to have in hand? I'm all about giving it a shot myself, but I could use some guidance before I dive in.

Yes, I did that task on my '05. You'll need a good torque wrench, a bearing retainer wrench, and some thread locker. Drop the wheel and swingarm, loosen the drive gear nut before the pulley comes off, then pull the shaft. When you button it back up, stake the nut. It's not too difficult, but it takes a while.

For a visual guide, check out this video:

 

[SirBarksAlot]

@plain jane Middle shaft on a Road Star, eh? That's a classic! Get ready for a bit of a greasy mess, but it's totally within reach for a DIYer
a little tips for you. the main thing is patience, don't rush it. Take pictures as you go, bag and label everything. And definitely have a good torque wrench for reassembly. It's a chunky job, but seeing it through is rewarding!