2003 Honda VTX1800 transmission problems

Filed Mar 30, 2012 · Transmission · 4,000 miles · TX

Rear drive side flange bearing total failure 4 times before 30000 miles. Bearings totally ground down and rough. T $220.00 a pop, it is becoming expensive and an imminent danger to all riders.

Filed Nov 10, 2008 · Transmission · 30,200 miles · IL

Rear tire was worn out upon replacing tire I inspected bearings and they fell out. Ordered new bearings on line and replaced them.

Filed Sep 7, 2008 · Transmission · 9,500 miles · OH

I was removing rear wheel on my 2003 honda vtx c model to replace worn tire and with the wheel off I did a check of the wheel bearings. I frequently visit the honda vtx owners site to keep up on maintenance issues and have found that many other owner have had a failure of this one particular bearing assembly referred to as " final driven flange a , honda part number 42630-mch-000. I did a check of the bearing and found that it would barely rotate, it had completely failed. Considering this is on a motorcycle, I think this is a serious safety issue. I have ordered a new part from honda and I hope that they have addressed this manufacturing defect.

Filed Jul 13, 2008 · Transmission · 9,560 miles · OH

Flange bearing on motorcycle final drive engagement fell apart after 9500 miles.

Filed May 19, 2008 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · TX

Honda vtx drive flange bearing failure. Repaired at home. No accident.

Filed Oct 29, 2006 · Transmission · 20,000 miles · TX

(1)vibration in rear wheel of honda vtx1800c 2003 (2)upon disassembly of rear wheel, bearings in the spline flange were found to be totally disintegrated. Although the bearings had not yet welded themselves together. (3)motorcycle had honda warranty, honda refused to repair,fixed myself. Still have old parts.

Filed Jun 30, 2006 · Transmission · 9,468 miles · CA

(1) 2003 honda vtx 1800c motorcycle rear driven flange bearing failure. When removing tire/wheel assembly for tire replacement, (2) I discovered the small bearings pressed into the driven flange (mounted on rear wheel) were very rough and hard to spin, using my index finger in the axle hole. I removed the flange from the wheel and discovered the bearing seal missing, probably chewed up; the cage that spaces the ball bearings had disintegrated into little pieces and had been expelled from the bearing/sleeve area onto the main rear axle bearing (which is still okay); the two bearings inside the flange were rough and felt like they ratcheted instead of turning smoothly. (3) I pressed them out, measured the housing bore, cleaned it and slightly enlarged (approx 0.0005 in.) the bottom of the bore with machine tools and sanding drums to where the new bearings are a press fit without binding -- the original bore seemed slightly tapered -cone shaped- and caused the outer bearing race to pinch down on the balls and remove any clearance built into the bearing, causing the ratcheting feeling. Referred to this site by vtxoa (vtx owner's association) website.

Filed Sep 6, 2005 · Transmission · PA

Rear axle bushing/bearing failure. 1 of the 2 bearings had failed. I found this by pure luck changing my rear tire. This was discovered in preparation for a long weekend ride to the honda gathering at there factory. I purchased new bearings for $54 a piece. And replaced them myself .

Filed Sep 3, 2005 · Transmission · 20,000 miles · WA

2003 honda vtx1800r motorcycle rear drive unit bearing failure. The motorcycle was two years old with 20k miles on it. During a routine rear wheel removal, the two radial ball bearings p/n: 6304uu (20x47x20.9) (toyo) were found to be severely damaged, missing bearings etc.... This is the second time this has happened. This can result in a catastrophic rear drive failure while operating the motor vehicle with death and injury as a possible result also who ever it was at honda reporting the vtx to have 106hp should be flagged for a flat out lie.

Filed Aug 18, 2005 · Transmission · 6,043 miles · MS

While replacing rear tire on my vtx 1800c I noticed the flange bearing was rough,the local dealer replaced it under warranty. No accidents or damage.