Drive shaft Failure...?

[beemrdon]

Attention K-MotoHedz~

My 1996 K 1100 LT SE now has 102,xxx miles. I have heard that 100k is the mileage that drive shafts may wear out. BMW wants over $1,000 for a new one. A BMW mechanic calls it a "wear item".

*What is/are the symptom/s of imminent failure, if there are any?

*Is there any user servicing that can extend it's life?

*Is there an alternative to buying another one (new or used).? ...see below.
*Is it possible to rebuild it if the splines are OK?...I guess that would be to replace the U-joints.  :dunno2: :dunno

THANKS..........
 

[kris]

For sure you can rebuild that shaft....Bruno (Iron City, Ontario) used to do them including replacing the existing splines with longer ones. Unfortunately, he has had health issues and is not doing this work. If you search around on this forum, or others, there is a guy stateside who does this work. Likely any competent mechanic could do the joint replacement and you could engage a machine shop if your splines are shot. It all comes down to dollars....the used market is your other option. The original u-joints did not have grease nipples. Bruno used to put nipples on the replacement joints.


Good luck.

[bizzaro]

They hardened the splines in 92 or 93.  Are you sure that the 100k spline failure applies to your bike?  I am not saying it doesn't, just that you may be fretting over nothing.   I tore down my drive train with 35k on the clock(94k1100lt), to do the infamous spline lube. Splines were fine.  I cleaned and greased um with guard dog moly paste, and put it all back together. I am embarrassed to state how long it took me.  After I got it done, I was informed by Johnny, here on the forum, that my bike had the hardened splines and it wasn't necessary! At least not at 35K.  :eek: :eek: :hehehe :hehehe Like I said, I don't know if it applies at 100k, but definitely worth a little more research.  And cracking it open and servicing it is probably a good idea anyway. But I would inquire more about if the 100k failure applies to your bike being a 96? :dunno   

[beemrdon]

I thought I'd review the entire driveline worthiness as I will be installing a new-to-me final drive sometime soon.  Mine has some play in it when grabbing the rear wheel at the 3-9 position. Not good?

A dismantler has a FD for $250 that came off of an RS. My local BMW dealer wants $700 plus to rebuild mine, about 1/2 parts and 1/2 labor.

I thought about greasing the U-joints and splines while the FD is out anyway.

[Laitch]

My 1996 K 1100 LT SE now has 102,xxx miles. I have heard that 100k is the mileage that drive shafts may wear out.. A BMW mechanic calls it a "wear item".
*What is/are the symptom/s of imminent failure, if there are any?

Imminent failure of the driveshaft u-joints? Knockety, Knockety, Knockety, Knockety, Knockety, Knockety . . .

BANG

grindety, grindety, grindety, grindety, grindety . . . [crickets] :giggles

U-joints can be replaced before that happens. It's a specialized skill though.

Spline failure is accompanied by a hair-raising scream. There is no warning except an extreme sawtooth shape of the splines.

[beemrdon]

*Is there any user servicing that can extend it's life?

Who, if anyone, is the new Bruno?

I understand that some aftermarket GS driveshafts (and others?) made in taiwan, are for sale from Ted Porter's Beemer Shop, somewhere in Ca. Supposedly better than stock with grease fittings on u-joints.
Anyone have more info?

Also, who has replaced or rebuilt drive components (final drive, driveshaft, etc) and at what mileage and why?

Is the FD easily rebuilt by a shadetree "mechanic"?

[Laitch]

I think it would be worthwhile querying these two businesses.

Bomars Beemers
This operation seems to be reaching out with rebuilding service.

Virginia Motoradd
Within his business website, Anton Largiader also inks to his informative website containing useful information for Beemer riders.

[Kevinb]

The last owner told me it was being done rescently, was not. For the price of the maintenance vs the price of fixing the damage...

[MarcoK75c]

Bombers Beemers just did mine, spline repair on the pinion and new BMW drive shaft. Two month turnaround and just under $1000.

Are you sure it is the drive shaft? Have you pulled it out? Less than 45minutes to do so....


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[bizzaro]

So what is the suggested Scheduled maintenance/mileage for u joint replacement on the newer K's?(with the hardened splines)  Planned PM is definitely much better than the repairing damage from failure, not to mention the danger! :falldown:

[alexis291]

My K1100RS 1995 at 50,000 miles has about 1.75 inches free play at the back wheel. When I removed the driveshaft to check it was perfect, splines both ends, rubber and UJs were fine. Your backlash may be coming from somewhere else.


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[Blue]

The 1100 will lose it's joints before it's splines.  As you approach 90,000 miles you should be prepared to have a new shaft delivered to your hotel if you survive the rear wheel lock-up.  Discerning 1100 pilots replace their shaft every 90,000 miles.

[bizzaro]

Thanks blue. But that is to replace the u -joints correct? Or is it to replace everything from the drive shaft beginning at the transmission to, and including, the final drive?  Unless you really abuse them, the newer splines should last the life of the bike, shouldn't they?  I mean if you get a new drive shaft and final drive, (BMW OEM) is it the motorcycle worth the cost of replacing it all?( it could be more than half the price of another used bike with lower mileage)..............IF you buy used, what are you getting? A used, rebuilt may be a good option?  But if at 90k your splines are fine, it would seem much cheaper to replace the u joints and whatever is needed in the final drive?  This is all inquiring and not statements.  I have a ways to go. I should tic off 50k before the extended season ends up here in the northeast, but scheduled R N R is good to know.  Especially when it could save your ass............................

I can't imagine flying down the highway going 50 to 90 and having the rear end seize up. That would really suck.  And depending on the circumstances....................obstacles, speed etc.  May be the last thing you get to experience! :falldown: :mbird

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Is it just the 1100, or is it every '90's paralever bike.  My K100RS4V has 125k miles now on what looks like the original shaft.  I wonder, is the phasing of the u-joints an issue in failures?  I can't recall ever hearing about Monolever u-joints being a weak point in the drive train.

Speaking of Monolever drive shafts, does anyone know of a C/V joint that could be used on those shafts?  I've been looking, but anything small enough to fit in the swingarm is marginal as to torque capacity.  A C/V joint would stop the sliding motion of the splines at the final drive and virtually eliminate spline wear and the need for regular spline lubrication.