1985 Honda 250sx problems

[powerstroke_79]

I have this 250sx and it has reverse but no forward movement. I can feel it wanting to grab but as I give it more gas it just starts clanking around. Anyone got any ideas?

[Howdy]

Try pushing it forward while off and in 1st or 2nd gear. Does it move?
Then Put it into reverse while off and push it backwards. Does it move?

Where is the noise coming from? Tranny? Middle of the drive unit? Differential?

More info is needed before being able to give good help.
Howdy

[ps2fixer]

I think a video would work really great if you have a means to record and upload it to youtube.

[tri again]

Has it ever worked right that you know of?
is it new to you?
so you shift into reverse and it goes backwards.
The you pull up on the shifter to get to neutral and then up again for first , give it gas and it clnaks?

[powerstroke_79]

It did work just fine when I bought it 7 years ago then 2 years ago it was making a high pitch squeal in the rear end every time I turned so I stopped ridding it and the next day I went to check it out and thats when it started. I can shift into reverse with no problem and it works fine but when I shift into any of the forward gears "ANY OF THEM" it starts clanking.

[ps2fixer]

Go to you rear axle and pull off the fill bolt cover (the huge one) and look at the teeth of the ring gear and make sure it is full of fluid. I checked all my big reds that way and the only one that made noise in the rear end is missing teeth on the ring gear. My guess is something with the rear end but it could be engine related. You might have the drop the rear swing arm off to fully check it out (3 bolts), that way you can feel the rear end for any wear and feel what the engine is doing too (not running).

If you put the 3 wheeler in 1st gear, can you push it forward or does it turn the engine over? The main thing I would be listening for is if it is spinning the drive shaft/transmission of the engine. A sound recording of the clunk noise would help tons. There are 3 main areas that I can think of that would cause a problem simialr to this and the noise, 1st is ring and pinion gears in the rear end, 2nd is the output shaft gears where the drive shaft hooks up into the engine (don't take it apart or you will have a loose washer inside the engine), 3rd is the actual transmission of the engine.

[powerstroke_79]

I will have to check on pushing it. Never thought about doing that.

[powerstroke_79]

I think that the noise that started in the rear end was my axle bearings but not sure.

[barnett468]

Hello


I suggest you answer Howdy’s questions as he suggested to get better more accurate info. I have included them with mine below.


Can you DRIVE it in reverse?

Does it make any noise when driving in reverse?

Is the noise in the motor or rear end?

Does the trans go into gear going forward?

Can you drive it forward?

Does it clunk when driving forward?

Is sound in motor or rear end?

Does your trans shift normally 1-5?


Sounds like bad rear bearing and/or gears based on your comments as others have suggested so far.

[atc007]

Your rear diff is shot. You need all bearings,seals,and a new ring and pinion. Your tranny is good to go. You'll be able to find a used unit fairly cheap,,$150+ ,but it will be that,,used.

[dougspcs]

Next time fix it before, it'll cost less and you'll preserve the valuable and irreplaceable parts stocks..

These machines are old, but given a bit of care and maintenance they'll last forever..so you're not the maintenance type, get a Chinese quad. No one cares about them, they're disposable.

If you've ridden until your diff blew as expected that's shameful neglect..lucky your trike isn't a child, you'd have authorities standing on you doorstep.

My SX started to growl in the rear a few years ago. $50 bearing kit and a few hours to tear down and repair should see it thru the next 25 years.

Hopefully you learn how to care for and maintain your trike while you're here..please do yourself a favor and take notes from these guys.

There is a big difference between a trike owner and a trike lover!

[Larry T Moore]

yeah...that rear diff is toast....

[powerstroke_79]

Ok guys I put the 250sx in first gear and tried to push it but no go but it maybe because of the axle bearings being messed up.

[Jason125m]

Of course it won't " go " ..... You're differential is blown up.

[powerstroke_79]

Well I am rebuilding another one and putting all new bearings in. But answer this why no forward gears but I have reverse.

[atc007]

Usually when a diff goes really bad,it will go backwards and lock trying to go forward. Are you saying you have the diff out and your tranny still has no forward gears??

[powerstroke_79]

No the diff is still in I am rebuilding a spare one I picked up.

[atc007]

Gotcha,that will cure all your woes.

[Howdy]

Well I am rebuilding another one and putting all new bearings in. But answer this why no forward gears but I have reverse.

I have seen where the bearing wears mainly in one spot. And this is probably the case here. As the bearing wore it allowed the shaft to get misaligned and the gear to catch less and less in forward. Now when you put it into reverse the pinion gear slightly catches the ring gear and moves it out of the badly wore spot of the bearing. Once it does this it will push the gears more together making the machine move close to normal. Then when you put it back into forward and the pinion shaft slips back into the bad spot of the bearing and allows the gear slip causing a clicking and or thumping noise in the differential.
I hope that help explain it.

I am not a rocket scientist. But I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night. LMAO
Howdy

[powerstroke_79]

Thanks Howdy